Good story but a bit too fast paced
The story itself is interesting with some veteran actors. 20 short episodes that could've been longer if they spend more on character development or spent more time on the supporting actors. There were quite a few potentially interesting supporting characters but they hardly had any screen time.Shen Yi (Artist) & Du Cheng started off as enemies but a bit too quickly Du Cheng's 7 years worth of anger towards him resolved?? ..... It felt rather instant so the subsequent bromance wasn't strong. It still worked well enough for the story line as it focused mainly on cases. Each case went by fast w/o many twists. It would've been better if they slow the pace down a bit.
The last 2 episode circles back to the original murder from 7 years ago to resolve unanswered questions.
Overall a great crime drama well worth the time for any viewers that enjoys this genre!
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Suprisingly good for a short Drama
Typically these short dramas are low budget with no name actors. Acting could be cheesy or over the top but occasionally it's easy to watch on the side. So going into this drama I had zero expectations but did NOT see this coming.Great Story filled with mystery and twists definitely good enough to be a longer series.
Great acting by the cast especially the 4 main leads. Chemistry was on fire between the ML and FL. In addition there were some interesting supporting actors, notability Yuanbao the little girl and ML's military advisor. Both offered periodic humorous lines.
The cinematography feel reminded me a bit like Love like Galaxy, beautiful and magical.
Music was also really good.
Only flaws:
1. They left some lose ends w/ the ending
2. Interesting stories like this should continue.........................................
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It's really good if you ignore the obvious plot flaws
The concept is very interesting, and the cast & acting is top notch. However earlier on you'll be asking WHYYYYYY would you .... WHYYYYYY wouldn't you. I can't even with this absurd logic.What I loved:
The entire cast from the leads the supporting cast
Jang Pan Seok (the fact that he's NOT playing a bad character for once) Literally every drama if he's in it he's the bad guy.
Lost souls in this village finding meaning of their new existence and new life -- family friends, love they never received during their living life etc. Heartwarming
The detective <-- why isn't he in more ML roles? His acting is fantastic
What I've hated: (don't read it if you don't want any possible spoilers)
Beginning of the story already with major illogical plot holes like why didn't ML report the girl being kidnapped? That would've been more logical to explain why HE was kidnapped in the process?
So many times, to tell ML about the girl (just the kidnapping part) and yet NOT?
Not so mysterious turn of events. 90% predictable.
Questionable ages . ML witness something 27 years ago and he looked 7ish ? 27 years later he supposed to be 30 but looking 40? Like really doesn't make much sense
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Watch for the laughs but skip the fans
Cliché executed pretty well overallThings that didn't work:
1. FL - her big blank eyes with zero expressions. She's lucky ML and supporting cast offset her inability to act.
2. Fans - Excessive nastiness. It got exhausting after ep 20 and felt super repetitive. Pretty sure you can fast through 10 ep of fan hate.
3. eSports - I see many complaints since this is more about Romance and less about accurate portray of eSports it really doesn't bother me
4. Relationship growth - if this was more focused on the romance they should've played on how they developed. It was ok just could've been better
5. Character growth - it's a fun fluffy drama so don't expect this
What worked:
1. Humor -- Lots of comical dialogue and short jokes which short girls will appreciate the struggles. Of course the subtle ones may be lost in translation
2. Supporting Cast -- Good supporting cast over all especially little fatty, he offers endless comical relief. I see some of the same cast in supporting roles in Love like Galaxy too.
3. Xu Kai -- Strong ML that executed his never exist in real world unattainable drama bf character flawlessly.
4. eSports graphics - Pretty cool graphics
5. Fun Fluffy Cringy all at the same time. There are plenty of people that enjoys this kind of stuff.
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Important Learnings
The FL was such a interesting character in her other drama on Netflix "Tomorrow" that I wanted to watch this drama.At first it was intriguing what this master plan was but then it was like "o that's it?".
Lessons I've learned from this script:
1. Daddy issues will lead to a sociopath daughter
2. Revenge can work if:
---You have a rich cheobol heir for an ex BF that still wants to get back with you and will help you no matter what.
---You have a new rich suitor who wants to be with you and help you no matter what.
Else your only grand revenge is to make a speech in a dating social to expose what the evil woman did to your dead husband.
8 short episodes of this and the story of the husband's death was repeated at least 4x. That's 1 repetitive script.
Few highlights of the drama:
Evil FL: watched her in numerous other supporting roles and this role was completely different from all her prior roles. She pulled it off perfectly. Loved her crazy eye death stares!
Rich Ex BF & Rich Suitor, both characters are quite attractive personality wise. They should've focused more on character growth instead.
Rich Ex BF's stepmom - potential interesting character. Should be a spin off on her character in future drama.
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Was strong until ep 25
The story started strong: Casting/acting/set/costume/fight scenes-- All that you hoped for in a big budget drama. I was excited and can't wait to watch more.After ep 20, it started to slow down. The drama seemed to have lost its luster. Introduction of new characters non related to the plot seem to occupy too much screen time. Meanwhile they could've used the screen time to develop a more convincing love story between the ML and FL. That connection was rushed and the dialogue between the two wasn't convincing that they would just risk their lives for each other.
The drama continued to be anti climatic. & some of the plot twists didn't even make any sense. Ending was highly disappointing. It's still a worthwhile drama until midway at least.
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Incredible cast!
Action packed with some expected twist and turns. I can't say the storyline is all that unique but I enjoyed it because so many other factors were perfect:1. Casting:
Han so Hee, I've seen her in many beautiful girl roles but here she's fierce, broken, angry, mysterious all at the same time. They had to use make up to tone down her beauty. Amazing acting and you can tell she trained hard for the role.
Park Hee Soon, ruthless gangster you'll just love. His expressions ever so captivating borderline psychotics
Anh BoHyun, I usually see him playing some jerk character so it was nice to see him in this role and he definitely pulled off the part.
Lee Hak Joo, Gangster's right hand man. Loved his character & a great supporting role
2. Production: action packed, great stunts and fight scenes. It wasn't a cheap production that's for sure but maybe that's why it was only 8 episodes.
3. Music, cinematography. Happy there was no super white light making actors pearl white. No shaky hand syndrome during fight scenes.
Sadly it could've been so much more:
There were some "ummm ok? that just happened moments"
Like how she got caught? what? How she walked away ? what? & how ML just what?
Only 8 episodes, could've used a lot more development. Dialogue between FL / ML to build that connection. They rushed through and that relationship really needed some more slow burn
Ending was less than desirable. Such a strong start then ended like that. I felt like they were trying to pull a Monster boy + Night in paradise style but didn't quite work
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Hooked till midway then series fell flat
The series started off strong. Character relationship development was interesting and all 3 couples were likeable. Supporting cast was good as well. Unfortunately like many other dramas mid way through the story got kind of sloppy. FL went from smarter than everyone to can't figure out anything. Some misunderstandings felt forced, some episodes felt draggy with too many flashbacks.What I enjoyed:
1. Wen Si Yuan's character. By far my favorite character. The way he talks is distinct and his acting just grows on you. Same feeling as when he played Mu Ci in Ashes of Love.
2. Zhu Yan - before he became his other self. Very lovable
3. Overall story
4. Initial parts had really good classic wu xia fight scenes peaked at the tournament and then..... feels like the fight choreographer quit or something.
5. Chemistry between all 3 couples.
6. Bromance between Zhu Yan & Yin Chang Ge
Downfalls:
1. 2nd 1/2 of the drama
2. Non stop crying and flashbacks
3. Anti climatic out comes
4. Ending that really logically didn't make sense on how the story was progressing. I even tried googling how and why and no answer..... ???
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0 newness to this HS cliche overload drama
Then and now kind of story with first loves but ML FL clothes change in adulthood but acting gestures don't change . It's literally the same story line which would've been ok if the dialogue was a bit more interesting. Typically for these to be successful you need strong funny side supporting characters which there aren't any. Some smart back and forth between the leads which there's like one moment.Story include:
1. FL weak doormat crybaby always needing to be rescued
2. ML cold on the outside and seems to bully the girl but is really helping her
3. Bad parenting and a terrible school official
4. Jealous side girl
5. School bully boys which only ML can defeat
6. Misunderstanding till the end
7. Countless years where no one moves on
8. Story finally resolves in the end years years years later
The End
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Watched it for Dai Xu
Honestly I didn't think the story was all that compelling. The acting by the FL was mediocre at best or maybe it could've been ruined by the dubbed voice. Her love interest was boring as well although nothing was really solidified as it is not a romance drama. I strictly watched this for Dai Xu. He's acting is always on par with all his supporting roles I've seen him in. Again his character was the best and most interesting in this drama.The stories were ok, nothing too moving. You aren't really moved either way. The ending felt super rushed.
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Bai Jing Ting back to what he excels at!
It’s been a long time since I truly enjoyed a BJT drama. After Rest and You Are My Hero, most of BJT’s recent period male lead roles haven’t quite resonated with me. I personally think BJT shines in modern, action-packed dramas.I loved that the story sets in a fictional city with all these accents thrown at you. The storyline is so engaging that I lost 5 days of sleep watching this! It’s packed with action, sprinkled with just the right amount of romance and humor. Not a single episode felt draggy. I do wish there had been more screen time for the supporting characters, but overall, the execution was top-notch. This drama is easily one of the best of 2025!
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It tried ....
This drama felt like it tried to be like "Go Ahead" feel with unconventional family raised by a dad. 4 kids (instead of 3) not from the same mom and the stories surrounds each one of them. As much as I love Dai Xu (#3) it was hard for me to watch this. The siblings didn't feel close starting off as they didn't bring the background right away. The dad was over bearing so hard to believe he raised the 4 kids to be all successful in different ways. He is literally in everyone's business small or big, completely suffocating.The older sister (I love this actress) held the fort down and most mature of all the kids. She's a great character but she started off hiding her divorce from the dad but the ex is such a great person makes viewers wonder oh why couldn't they work it out? And then the great reason reveal and it's like "you must be kidding me" doesn't even seem plausible with that kind of character building. Very puzzling....
The 3rd kids (love this actor!) lacked chemistry with his love interest as well so it was hard to be interested. I've been dying to see Dai Xu in better roles sadly it's not this.
Multiple level emotional disconnect with this drama especially mostly the dad's character. Hard to relate, hard to emphasize, hard to like anything relating to the script. Just watch Go Ahead for the world's greatest dad instead.
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Classic drama factory idol drama
1st episode already sets the viewers to low expectations...FL & ML are on a boat, flips over the boat. The top of the boat randomly disappears....? So she can somehow jump out of the water INSTA DRY w/ perfect hair.....
Everyone refers to themselves in 3rd person.....cringe.
The only reason to watch this is for the fans of the actors. For me it's Liu Yu Ning. He was so memorable in the Long Ballad that I've been looking forward for his other supporting roles.
Notable enjoyable aspects:
Anything with Liu Yu Ning (completely bias here)
Tim Pei as Leng Bei (He's better playing these emotionless military roles)
Mu Qing's character - classic selfless silent and suffering type
Anle Princess - badass female character
Ep 3: the solo dance was very beautiful, the only memorable dance scene.
Else this drama is very standard
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Hidden Gem! FL's acting is superb!
It's not your average campus drama. Despite the low budget, the story is quite good. Stand out is the FL actress Yin Rui. Her vibe reminds me of Dai Lu Wa in My Calorie Boy. Super cute and so on point with her acting especially her crying scenes, just so good.Standouts:
1. Story telling. Well-paced and interesting
2. Characters. Well written multi-dimensional characters. I was so happy to NOT see the typical single dimensional mean girl with one goal.
3. FL actress. Although the ML did good enough of a job, she definitely out shined him in the acting department.
What could've been better:
Satisfying ending enough but the story was so good that you just want to see more!
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Rewatch preparing for S2 EPIC Script!
One of my all-time favorite dramas. This is the best script ever!Everything is absolutely perfect except the lighting. There's a lot of olive tunes to the drama making the actors look not as pretty which is incredible because there are a ton of beautiful actors in here.
For those people that may not like this drama for whatever reason, may missed all the essence of Chinese language word play. There's so much comedy but all lost in translation. Even the names are clever. Sadly, I can only understand 80% of it. I so wish I can read the actual book but since I can't, the drama itself is perfect.
Some Fun Word plays:
Fan Jian - Fan Xian's Dad's name actually sounds like "being bitchy"
Chen Ping Ping - A very girly name for the master schemer
Nei Ku - Treasury sounds exactly like underwear
There are countless of these.
Unique on every level.
1. Political scheming isn't all that interesting to me but it's part of every costume drama you can't avoid. However, it is interesting here because all the characters are all multi-dimensional.
2. Characters. You can't find any weakness here. Well written characters along with perfect casting.
Mini Fan Xian - I could've used extra episode of him. He's so cute and expressive.
Fan Xian - Everybody loves Fan Xian. I am 100% biased here because the actor has been one of all-time favorites.
Wang Qi Nian - The side kick endless funny punch line delivery guy
Teng Zi Jing - The assassin in the beginning that formed such strong bromance
Fan Si Zhe - Did not know the actor is actually a standup comedian but I can see why
I literally loved almost every character big or small. Shows how brilliant the script writer is.
3. Level of literacy
There's a scene of Fan Xian reciting all the famous poems. (no I never got to that level in my Chinese) but it's amazing the actor reciting all those poems in one breath. People with high Chinese literacy will surely appreciate this.
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