Gulnezer Bextiyar Shines in a Story of Fierce Women and Unbreakable Values
Gulnezer Bextiyar is absolutely mesmerizing in this role. Her beauty aside, it’s her acting—her subtle expressions, her poise, her quiet strength—that makes her character feel truly regal, like a born queen.This drama tells the story of women raised by their grandmother to be fierce, proud, and deeply connected to their lineage. They fight each other endlessly, yet when faced with outsiders, they become unbreakable. That sisterhood, flawed but powerful, is one of the drama’s strongest points.
What makes this series stand out is the relationship between the FL and ML. Both are strong, principled individuals who never diminish each other. There are no overused sacrifice clichés—only choices shaped by belief, values, and moral responsibility. A rare and satisfying watch.
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Love Me is not an easy watch, but it is a deeply honest one.
This drama portrays raw emotion — the kind that comes when life keeps piling responsibilities on you without giving you time to breathe. It explores exhaustion, guilt, loneliness, and the heavy burden of caring for loved ones while quietly falling apart yourself.The series reflects how, as humans, we can become selfish— not out of malice, but as a way to survive.
At its heart, Love Me tells the story of a father and his two children, each dealing with grief and loneliness in their own way. It follows how they navigate life’s constant challenges and slowly learn how to express love more openly, more gently.
This is a quiet, grounded drama that doesn’t rely on big moments. It doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it gently forces you to reflect. It reminds us that everyone is fighting battles we cannot see — even those closest to us.
Quiet. Raw. Human.
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This review may contain spoilers
When ‘Not by Blood’ Isn’t Enough: A Deeply Uncomfortable Siblings Romance
Drama that has received surprisingly positive reviews, but for me, it was deeply uncomfortable and ultimately unwatchable.The story centers on a “not-by-blood” siblings-to-lovers romance. The ML was adopted by the Jin family, and the FL was born later. They grew up as siblings until their parents divorced and never saw each other again. Years later, as adults, the FL learns that the ML was adopted and immediately flies to see him.
While the drama technically removes the blood relation, it completely ignores the psychological and emotional reality of the relationship. These two characters grew up as brother and sister, and that context is never meaningfully addressed. No one in the story seems to mind, nor the viewers who rated this positively. There is no internal conflict, no moral hesitation, no boundary-setting—nothing.
What disturbed me most is how the romantic and physical tension starts in episode 1, literally the day the FL lands. There is zero transition. Let's bear in mind that the FL’s entire memory of the ML is of her childhood brother, yet overnight the overly skinship didn't matter. There is no gradual shift, no self-reflection, no struggle with the idea that flirting with the person you grew up calling “brother” might be wrong or, at the very least, confusing.
The show treats this shift as if it’s the most natural thing in the world—brother one day, romantic interest the next. The FL doesn’t hold back at all. There’s no conscience, no hesitation, no acknowledgment of boundaries. It feels less like a developed romance and more like the characters were simply waiting for a technical loophole to justify their attraction.
The most repulsive aspect for me is the constant use of childhood flashbacks showing their innocent sibling bond, immediately followed by scenes of overt flirting and intense skinship in the present. The contrast is jarring and unsettling. By episode 13, when they are openly all over each other, I had to stop watching.
I’ve watched dramas with sibling-like relationships turning into romance before—Go Ahead, for example—but those stories handled the transition with care, emotional growth, and moral awareness. The characters didn’t behave as if they were itching to jump into bed the moment a non-blood-related excuse appeared. Side note: In Go Ahead, the characters were not related by blood, not adopted siblings, and not legal siblings. They were neighbors who grew up extremely close and formed a found-family dynamic, while still having their own parents and separate family identities.
Speed and Love lacks that sensitivity entirely. It romanticizes a relationship that, while legally permissible (?), is emotionally and psychologically twisted, without ever questioning itself. For me, it crossed a line on multiple levels, and no amount of chemistry or production quality could make up for that.
Final verdict:
If you’re comfortable with sibling-coded romance that skips moral reflection and emotional realism, you might enjoy this. If not, this drama will likely feel disturbing rather than romantic.
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Chemistry Served, Mystery Delivered
First of all, Dilraba was absolute perfection in this drama. She has come such a long way, and every time I watch her, she feels more and more refined in her craft. This role really highlights the full range of her acting abilities—subtle, expressive, and confident. Huge applause as well to her stylist, because she truly slayed every look.Chen Xing Xu feels completely in his element here. His performance is natural and convincing, with no awkward moments at all. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable and effortlessly delivered. What I appreciated most is that their romance doesn’t rely on overused clichés; instead, it unfolds gradually, built on partnership, trust, and mutual respect. And honestly—they’re incredibly cute together.
Genre-wise, this drama leans into mystery and thriller, with a borderline horror vibe that keeps things tense and engaging. On top of that, the supporting characters are genuinely lovable—you’ll definitely find yourself getting attached.
Overall, a well-balanced drama with strong performances, compelling atmosphere, and a refreshing love story.
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Strong Potential Undermined by Weak Writing and Inconsistent Characters
I really wanted to like Love and Crown, mainly because I see genuine potential in Allen Ren. He was excellent in One and Only, and his performance in The Blue Whisper was solid as well. Unfortunately, this project doesn’t live up to that promise. The shortcomings don’t lie in a single area—the writing, production choices, character construction, and even the chemistry all feel underdeveloped.The male lead is framed as a ruler forged by prolonged patience—someone who willingly surrendered regency and endured years of restraint in order to consolidate strength. Instead, his character remains surprisingly passive. Rather than embodying the weight and transformation of a king, his primary motivation revolves almost exclusively around protecting the empress. This makes him feel more like a reactive figure than a decisive one—more talk than action—undermining what could have been a far more compelling arc.
The empress, meanwhile, is written as an idealistic heroine guided by a simple moral framework: protect the weak, punish the evil. While this concept works in theory, the execution falls flat. When faced with real consequences, her responses rarely align with the strong moral stance she claims to uphold. Emotional reactions often replace meaningful action, and forgiveness is handed out too easily, even when it contradicts her stated values. This creates a noticeable disconnect between who the character is meant to be and how she actually behaves.
Performance also plays a role here. The actress struggles to convey emotional depth through facial expressions, which weakens pivotal moments and makes it difficult to fully believe in her character’s internal conflict or convictions.
Two recurring narrative patterns stand out throughout the series. First is the overused trope of “hurting someone for their own good,” repeatedly employed without enough nuance to justify its emotional weight. Second is the persistent tendency to shift blame onto the king for nearly every misfortune, as if other characters lack agency or responsibility for their own choices. This imbalance becomes increasingly frustrating and reduces the complexity of the story’s moral landscape.
Ultimately, I decided to stop at episode 23. By that point, the script felt repetitive, the plot logic strained, and the emotional chemistry still absent. Love and Crown had the ingredients for a strong political and emotional drama, but weak writing and inconsistent character development prevent it from reaching its potential.
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Good Concept, Weak Chemistry, Missed Potential
I really tried with this one. I’m already at ep 24/28—so yes, my time was graciously given.The VR concept was interesting but also strangely awkward. Unfortunately, the real-life storyline is very underwhelming, with a plot that never truly stands out. Despite the intense level of togetherness—playing a VR game together, cohabiting, and working side by side—I expected at least some spark. But the chemistry simply never shows up. The relationship jumps from ambiguous to push-and-pull to officially together, without any real tension, giddiness, or emotional build-up. That moment when a romance is supposed to click? It never does.
Lu Yu Xiao’s rambling, awkward line delivery didn’t work for me here. While this style suited Blossoms in Adversity and she was genuinely good in My Journey to You, it felt misplaced in this role. Chen Xing Xu also felt unusually restrained, which is disappointing considering how strong his chemistry was in My Boss and Love on the Turquoise Land. His performances tend to shine more when paired with a stronger or lighter, funnier female lead.
Instead, both characters feel emotionally flat, failing to balance each other out and only amplifying the dullness. Even the comedy falls flat. Overall, not terrible—but definitely underwhelming given the cast and premise.
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