Sunshine17130522

"Captivating the King" took me by surprise from the get-go. As someone not particularly drawn to political struggles for the throne, I entered with cautious expectations. Yet, from the very first episode, it managed to ensnare my attention in a way I hadn't anticipated.

This series is about our FL disguising herself as a boy, fighting for a noble cause while navigating the twist and turn of love. Meanwhile, our ML is in a power struggle fighting for the throne. They bond through an Asian chess game called go.

Initially skeptical, I found myself drawn to the performances, particularly that of SSK. Her portrayal of the lead character's inner turmoil with teary eyes, captive my heart each time. I mean who wouldn’t be in the exact same position in front of the man they love but they cannot reveal their identity? Witnessing her growth from her previous roles, especially post-"Run On," was a delight in itself. The chemistry between the leads, which was intense and emotional, had me on the edge of my seat, emotions swirling as her gender was exposed and their relationship unfolded.

While the series excelled in many aspects, there were minor imperfections that caught my attention. Some scenes felt slightly stiff and awkward, especially the part where he grabs and hugs her, the angle just felt off. Also, the abundance of side characters like the senior court maid felt unnecessary and could have been streamlined for a tighter focus.
On a personal rating scale, "Captivating the King" lands at a solid 7.5 for me. It's been a while since a K-drama has captured my interest so thoroughly, and SSK's performance only adds to its allure. However, deductions were made for the repetitive nature of palace politics and hidden love between a female disguised as a male.

In conclusion, I'm eagerly rooting for SSK's continued growth and eagerly anticipate what future projects hold for her. "Captivating the King" may have its flaws, but its ability to keep audiences invested and chemistry between the leads is undeniable.

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This has a promising storyline, a classic really. Famous celebrity teacher falls in love with a normal working "mom". I really wanted to watch the story because of the backstory of FL and how she decided to raise her niece. I expected a long backstory but everything was explained in one episode, maybe in five minutes of the show. Kind of disappointed, personally I was looking for a build-up of their storyline. This was the main reason why I decided to give this show a chance.

ML has his charm and FL I didn't know how old she was until an article came out about her in her 50's as she plays a mom. I assume they were thinking of someone in her 30's? She was able to pull it off for someone in her 50's so I give her props for that. They were a cute couple and their love line was expected to happen, I just felt the pace was a bit off for me.

I love the side stories of the uncle and the daughter. I think they were adorable. But just like every other kdrama there has to be a bad guy with some mental or psychological issue that is related to one of the leading couples. I personally do not like having these weird side stories added on because it was predictable and I already knew who was behind it.

It was entertaining but I skipped through a lot, I personally wouldn't want to watch it again. Giving it at 4/10

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Sorry to disappoint but if you’re expecting a I love this series review this is probably not it. I was disappointed with a few things so I’m going to start out with them first:

The random character growth for FL. The way how this was directed at first it seem like she was described as someone weak, an artist type who can’t fight back and now she randomly has a great memory and remembers things when she deals with the business issue. Being brave for the man you love is a given so I’ll let that one slide, but I can’t get over her thinking it was a brave and smart idea to chase the man in black. Thus, in turn, gets locked up in a food truck and wimpy cries for help when she was just so brave all sudden. I don’t know if it was the actress's fault or the way how it was directed.

The sudden cliffhangers or should I say the exposure of ML mystery past or the random agreement to decide to get married to mean girl.

FL random drunken episode and acted cute. Sorry, it was a great scene for ML to kick ass but why did she need to be drunk?

Probably the only thing I like was the ML, his character seems to be steady and well-defined. Of course, he is hot but that not saving the series. I think this series has potential, it really does but the way how the plots and twists were played out was just so random and weird, at least for me. FL didn’t have a well-defined character making it hard to follow at times. I think she does a good job at acting, but they just need to define her character a bit more. If anyone has any recommended movies or series she has done that way better let me know. I am willing to check them out.

Rating 4/10, probably won’t rewatch since I forward through a lot. There are a lot of cute scenes that you can just find on youtube but watching the entire series, is not worth it. There's not much chemistry so you’re not really losing out.

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Even the cast couldn't save the series

"Princess Gambit" just fell flat for me. I started the series super excited—both leads were cunning and forced into a relationship to get through things together, so I was hooked from the start. But as the series went on, I forgot why I was even so invested. I wasn’t sure if it was the storyline or the direction the series was taking, but it all just started to feel flat, and half the time I found myself tuning out.

I think I only stuck around because of the cast—I adore both leads—but toward the end, it got so boring that I don’t even know how I managed to keep watching. I finally dropped the series at episode 30. I just didn’t have the heart to sit through the last few episodes when I was barely paying attention anymore.

It’s sad that I couldn’t enjoy this to the fullest.

It is a 5/10 for me

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Dragging suspense

Personally, one thing about kdrama they do right is they want us to keep guessing, but there is also a downside to that because how long do you drag on the suspense to make the audiences want more? I am so glad I watched this with friends because I would have never finished it. I stayed because of the amazing cast, I love their acting and their characters but the way how the story unfolded, the dragging suspense, and adding unnecessary problems one after another was a typical kdrama move that I absolutely find dull and boring. Nothing made sense and some of the issues just didn't seem real enough to convince me.

I recommend it for the cast and if this is your type of suspense but forget about it if you're there for the storyline.

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Bad ruler and stupid court politics...stay away

I was really hoping Fight for Love wouldn’t disappoint me. I wanted this to be the last drama I watched before the year ended, but I had already started a few others that grabbed my attention more. With the holiday break, I’ve been spending extra time catching up on winter hobbies and binge-watching series I’ve been trying to finish before the new year.

Fight for Love became a “crochet and watch” kind of series for me. It had been a while since I last crocheted, so I found myself reintroducing the hobby while this drama played in the background. However, it wasn’t like this at the beginning. The opening episodes captivated me—the falling roses and Chu Yu waiting on the bridge as the Wei family returned from war really hooked me. I also loved how each brother and their wives had distinct personalities.

Knowing that the family was being set up intrigued me, and I thought the series would focus on love and unraveling that conspiracy. Instead, the latter half spent so much time on politics and war that I ended up skipping large portions. The main reason I kept watching was to see the side characters and how the main leads’ love story would turn out.

The only real highlight of this series was probably the cast. Ding Yu Xi always stood out to me—he consistently has great chemistry with his female leads. I can’t say the same for Victoria, though. I feel like she often plays the same cool, level-headed character in every series I’ve watched her in.

Other notable characters and cast members I enjoyed were Joe Chen and Liang Xue Feng (I didn’t expect him to be the emperor of the enemy state, and I was really rooting for his love story with Joe), Tuan Tuan and her relationship with Chu Lin Yang, and Lu Qi Ba with his quirkiness. I also liked seeing some of the Wei brothers played by actors I recognized from other dramas, such as Zhang Tian Yang and Wang Sen.

Fight for Love isn’t a series I’d recommend, mainly because of its heavy focus on war and kingdom politics. Even with the romance, the drama centered far more on uncovering betrayals and fighting for the kingdom, with only small glimmers of hope through the couples’ love stories. The final episodes, especially after the war, were a disappointment. I honestly don’t understand why the emperor had to interfere in the leads’ relationship at the very end. Was I being hopeful in expecting him to be more reasonable? Yes—I truly was.

Because of how frustrating and foolish the emperor’s decisions and rule felt to me, I can’t rate this series higher than a 6/10. Again I skipped A LOT! So I'm sure I missed a lot of details.

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Triple Y was a triple delight.

This will be a short review because I mainly want to remember that I watched this series—and the points that stood out to me.

The show hooked me right from the start. I love time-travel-to-the-past tropes, and seeing the entire family travel together was such a fun twist. That alone was enough to keep me excited. MDL already summarizes the plot well, so I won’t repeat too much, but the basic setup is: the FL and her family end up in the past and, in order to survive, they trick the newly arrived vice magistrate into letting them stay with him by claiming he has a childhood arranged marriage with the FL. Chaos ensues.

As I’ve told others, this drama does exactly what it’s supposed to do—it entertains. If you’re looking for something funny, romantic, and supported by a great ensemble cast, you’ll enjoy Yummy Yummy Yummy.

The only part I didn’t care for was the ML’s ongoing investigation into his family’s downfall. We know from the beginning what he’s trying to uncover, and I honestly skipped most of those scenes. Instead, I focused on the main couple’s romance and the relationships built between the side characters and the FL’s family. That dynamic was the biggest highlight for me, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Surprisingly, I also loved the ending. Using the “dream” she had, the FL decides to revive her family’s struggling restaurant business—a cute and fitting conclusion.

Overall, I’m giving this a 7.5/10 for the fun story direction, the slow-burn romance, and a cast I genuinely adored.

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When crazy runs in the family

Fated Hearts grabbed my attention right from the start. The first ten minutes were so intense that I actually had to rewatch a few times just to process everything that was happening. After watching Love in the Cloud’s slower pace, I was thrilled to dive into a series that immediately felt so captivating and fast-moving.

What I Loved

• An Eye for an Eye:
If you’ve seen the first few episodes, you know exactly what I mean — a scratch, a neck bite, a whip — literally one for another. The dynamic perfectly shows how strong-minded, stubborn, and prideful both leads are. It’s raw, emotional, and unpredictable.

• A Powerful Female Lead:
This was my first time watching a series with Li Qin, and I was blown away by how she portrayed her role. She was everything I wanted in a female general — powerful, composed, and commanding. The fact that this was an enemies-to-lovers story made it even better. I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy this trope as much as I did, but now I’m definitely open to seeing more like it.

• The OST :
I’ve realized I haven’t talked about OSTs in my other reviews, probably because they haven’t moved me as much as this one did. And this time, I have to! Anytime Sa Ding Ding sings, you know the series is about to hit you right in the heart. My sister and I even joke that if she’s on the soundtrack, brace yourself — it’s going to be sad, traumatic, dramatic, or heartbreaking (sometimes all at once). I also love it when she makes her signature cameo — small but always memorable.

• The Pacing and Storytelling:
The pacing, the tension, the layered storytelling — it all pulled me in from the start. If you’re someone who loves being taken on an emotional journey filled with revenge, politics, and passion, this series definitely delivers.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Of course, no story is perfect. Toward the last ten episodes or so, I found myself struggling to stay focused. So much was happening that I had to pause a few times just to catch my breath. The chaos felt relentless — between the emperor’s shocking death and Sui Ge’s near-fatal stabbing, and the betrayal of a friend that was closer than a brother, my heart couldn’t keep up. Then again, it is a story built around revenge and political intrigue, so maybe that’s part of the design.

I also wasn’t a fan of the princess’s storyline. Her relationship with the Prince of Zhennan just didn’t sit right with me. She threw a fit to secure the marriage, only to suddenly break it off because he didn’t love her? It felt immature in contrast to the otherwise well-thought-out political schemes throughout the series. Maybe I’m overanalyzing, but it just didn’t land.

The Storm Alliance felt uninteresting. Compared to the emotional and political intensity of earlier episodes, this part came off a bit bland and hard to focus on. The political cleanup in the Susha Kingdom dragged on, and the emperor of Jinxiu’s obsession with the princess made me uneasy. Then came Sui Ge’s illness and the inevitable memory-loss plotline while I understood its purpose, it didn’t hit with the same emotional weight as the beginning. A lot happened, but it lacked the energy that made the first half of the series so captivating. By this point, I was skipping scenes just to get through it.

By the end, I felt torn. Fated Hearts is a beautifully crafted, emotionally intense series that started strong but I stumbled a lot toward the finish line. The ending left me more frustrated than satisfied, and I’m still not sure what the Prince of Zhennan’s entire motivation really was. I’ll probably just ask my sister for the explanation — this isn’t one I’ll be rewatching anytime soon.

Final Thoughts

Despite its flaws, Fated Hearts stands out for its powerful characters, emotionally charged storytelling, and stunning soundtrack. It’s a rollercoaster of love, pride, revenge, and heartbreak — one that’ll pull you in, shake you up, and leave you a little dazed by the end. While the last stretch wavered in pacing and clarity, the journey itself was worth taking.

Final Rating: 7.5/10 — a compelling but uneven story that shines brightest when it leans into its raw emotion and strong performances.

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Only took me a year

It’s been a long journey — almost a year — and I’ve finally finished Tale of Rose. I often thought about it, but just didn’t have the time to complete it because so many other dramas took priority. Tale of Rose was always one I wanted to return to, mainly because I felt it was a story any girl could relate to — the tale of a woman navigating life through the lens of her love stories.

I liked this concept more than most, because it felt like a true reflection of a woman’s life. How many love encounters does a woman experience in her lifetime? The stages she goes through — heartbreak, healing, building new relationships... Are they soulmates, lovers, or just friends? Tale of Rose is the kind of story I can see myself returning to and reflecting on again and again.

I started this series maybe a year ago, and now I’ve finally found the time to finish it. What really pulled me back in was the song that played during her decision to end her first relationship — Zhou Shen’s “Breeze of Dawn.” It’s a sad moment, but the aesthetics and emotional conflict portrayed in that scene, amplified by the song, drew me back in.

Tale of Rose starts with a strong, independent woman — Huang Yi Mei — who lives by her own beliefs. At first, I thought her confidence came from being spoiled, but I later realized it came from how much she valued herself. This line probably sums her up best:

“Many people weigh the pros and cons in a relationship. You are different. It seems you were born with the ability to love. What a precious gift.”

💔 Let’s Talk About Her Love Stories:
First Love:

I don’t remember all the details (since I watched this part about a year ago), but I remember the feeling. That relationship came in like a gust of wind — fast and intense — but ended just as quickly. He was ambitious, wanting both a thriving career and a stable love life. When she visited him in Paris, she realized she would never be his top priority, so she chose herself. I respected that. I liked this guy more than the next one — he pushed her to evolve in a way no one else could have.

Second Love:

I agreed with her brother and dad — I didn’t like him. He didn’t feel genuine, and I had trouble warming up to his character. I wanted to call him a rebound, but I’ll soften it and say he was a “fall back into what’s comfortable.” Eventually, you see it’s his low self-esteem that makes him sensitive to others’ opinions, so he bends over backwards to be liked. He thought marrying her was the finish line — instead, he became obsessive.

Third Love:

Probably my favorite. Their artistic sides, their quirks — it all just clicked. It felt right, like they were on the same wavelength. As the synopsis said, this was her soulmate. That word fits perfectly.

Fourth Love:

This felt like a love born out of peace — peace with herself and her past. She was stronger, braver. I felt that every decision she made was guided by the question: Is this truly life or death? And if it wasn’t, she didn’t stress over it — she simply moved forward, strong and unshaken.

🌹 Why I Love Huang Yi Mei

No matter how hard things get, she always talks it out, and she always shows love. I think about the time she was with her third love, but her ex-husband kept reappearing in her life. Even when her world was crumbling — her boyfriend dying, her ex kidnapping her child — she stayed strong and fought for love.

Crystal did an outstanding job portraying her. Huang Yi Mei’s resilience, independence, and emotional maturity made her one of the strongest female leads I’ve seen.

🌸 The Second Couple

I didn’t expect to love them as much as I did — Su Su and Huang Zhen Hua (her brother and her colleague). Watching their relationship unfold and seeing their character growth was an unexpected joy.

💬 Favorite Lines That Touched Me:

• “I am looking for a job, but it is more important to find a direction for the future instead of just a job.”
• “I’m not very gifted at loving someone, but I’m trying my best to learn.”
• “If the stock market only went up and not down like my weight, everyone would be happy.”
• “Huang Yi Mei tried, observed, and understood what quality meant. She could tolerate inferior products due to her strong tolerance. That doesn’t mean she has no standards.”
• “Do you think I’ve become a worldly woman who only talks about children? No. You’ve become an ordinary woman. I think it’s wonderful.”
• “Manipulation should be used in business, not on people — especially not within your own family.”
• “Huang Yi Mei always represents the truest you, not relying on anyone or any environment.”
• “It’s been a really long time since someone called me by my name. Everyone calls me Xiao Chu’s mom now. I love her very much. I also feel the happiness of being a mother. Still, I want to be myself. I don’t want Huang Yi Mei to be replaced by Xiao Chu’s mom.”
• “As long as we’re living, we’re always creating. Every day is a brand-new beginning. Most people live like products on an assembly line. Only a few live artistically. To do so, you must take the carving knife into your own hands.”
• “Xiao Chu, when you first heard the word ‘divorce,’ you had just turned four. Many advised me not to expose you to the adult world too early. But I chose honesty. I hope you’ll embrace life’s changes like I did. Divorce is the end of a relationship, not a failure in life.”
• “People learn because they want freedom…when you figure out how to learn effectively, you can learn anything you want or need, then you are free. "
• “Don’t dwell on momentary successes or failures. It’s just a moment. It does not define your life. If you feel like you’re in darkness, it only means your future will be brighter than this moment. ”
• “The world in front of me leads me wherever I choose. Henceforth, I ask not for good fortune — I am good fortune. Everything I encounter, I like. Everything is accepted. I completely and totally direct myself.”

🎬 Final Thoughts

This might not be a drama for everyone — it’s slow, reflective, and character-driven. But if you enjoy slice-of-life stories, slow burns, and strong female leads navigating love and self-growth, this might be the one for you.

I hope everyone finds a version of Huang Yi Mei within themselves — being brave, loving courageously, being resilient, independent, and full of love. As I mentioned before, this is a series I know I'll return to.

Rating: 8.5/10

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A Nostalgic, Thought-Provoking Slice of Life

This show had been sitting on my watchlist for a long time, and I’m so glad I finally gave it a chance. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the concept of repeating life over and over again. While it’s technically a comedy-drama, Brush Up Life truly feels like a slice-of-life series — subtle, reflective, and quietly emotional.

Watching this made me wonder: What would I do if I had the chance to live my life all over again? What would change, and what would stay the same? It gave me this deep sense of appreciation for the present moment — a reminder that, in reality, we only have one shot at life, so we should make the most of it.

What I Loved:

1. The Nostalgia Hit Hard:
If you grew up watching Japanese dramas in the late '90s to early 2000s, this series is a goldmine of references. It felt like a warm hug from the past.

• "Konayuki" – If you know, you know. Every time the classmates sang it at karaoke, I couldn't help but sing along.
• Orange Range – Hearing their music again brought back so many memories.
• Several of my favorite actors and actresses made cameos or were mentioned, and I honestly felt like a fangirl all over again seeing them on screen.

2. The Other “Reincarnators”:

One of the best parts of the show was learning about other characters who were also going through repeated lives. One of them relived the same life countless times while working at a government office. Another had a single, laser-focused goal she carried with her through every life.

But the storyline I loved the most was the last one of Kondo Asami’s. As she said, she wasn’t doing it to rack up points for the next life — she simply learned to enjoy the last one. That message hit me the hardest: sometimes, it’s not about chasing achievements or fixing everything. As hard as it is, sometimes we just need to remember – we should just enjoy life as we can.
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Final Thoughts:
Brush Up Life is a quiet, heartfelt exploration of life, regret, growth, and the little things that truly matter. It made me laugh, reflect, and even tear up a little. If you're into stories that make you think about your own journey — while hitting you with a wave of nostalgia — this is one drama you shouldn’t miss.

8.5/10

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Melo Movie — The Kind of Slow-Paced Drama You Need Once in a While

I really didn’t know what to expect with Melo Movie. I only knew it had the same screenwriter as Our Beloved Summer, which I started but had to put on hold because I was juggling so many other C-dramas at the time.

I decided to stick out with Melo Movie mainly because my sisters recommended it—and I adore the cast. To my surprise, this series turned out to be something completely unexpected.

For some background: I’ve actually been moving away from K-dramas for a while. I grew up with them in the '90s, but over the years, as they gained popularity overseas, the hype kind of dulled my love for them. I slowly returned to C-dramas, which is what I originally grew up with. K-dramas was an accident that landed in my lap without me knowing because most of them were dubbed in another Asian language. This is why, every now and then, I’ll watch a series here and there, but they don’t have all my love and attention.

Why am I sharing all this? Because Melo Movie gave me that nostalgia—like a warm throwback to the '90s and my love for both movies and dramas.

From the very start, the story captivated me. And honestly, that’s been rare with recent K-dramas. I loved that the main couple had a shared passion I could actually relate to—I simply love movies. I grew up on VHS tapes, watching everything from Stephen Chow to Love Actually. Some of the episode titles in this drama even referenced older films. You can’t help but fall in love with the director and the screenwriting because they are people who love movies just as much as I do.

Things I loved:

• The details. I’m by no means a critic or someone who studied film, but I’ve picked up things over time just from watching so many dramas and movies. The small, subtle details made this series fun to watch. I’ve been rushing through a lot of shows lately, so to my surprise, Melo Movie made me slow down—especially for a K-drama.

• The lighting. The visuals made the emotional moments so much more meaningful. I keep thinking about that kiss under the lamppost—a classic '90s scene—or the candlelight moment when she comforted him after his brother’s death. There was also a scene with flickering lights throughout the dark house, it felt like scattered thoughts, like a visual representation of a mind trying to piece everything together.

• Everything was a movie to him. Every encounter, every setback—it all played out like a scene. His optimism and love for movies made his character so endearing.

• Mubee’s complexity. I loved that she wasn’t just “the angry girl.” Yes, she had anger, but it was rooted in real, logical reasons. I also adored the portrayal of her younger self—fighting neighbor bullies, lying about being an orphan. Her character felt fully fleshed out. I’ve always been a fan of Park Bo Young, and I’m glad she’s stepped away from just rom-coms and fantasy into more grounded, slice-of-life roles.

• The older brother. I’ve followed Kim Jae Wook since the early 2000s, so seeing him here added an extra layer of enjoyment. His character brought depth and pushed the protagonist’s growth in a meaningful way.

Things I struggled with:

While many people loved the second lead couple, I personally had a harder time connecting with their story. It started off strong but eventually felt redundant. He clearly wasn’t over the breakup, and she only stepped away because she was burned out—classic young love where you give everything and lose yourself in the process.

By the time she came back, it felt like she had a hidden agenda—like she wanted to help him succeed and still loved him but was not planning on getting back together.
Honestly, the last two episodes were kind of a blur for me, mostly because the second couple’s storyline took center stage, and it just didn’t hold my attention the same way.

To conclude, Melo Movie wasn’t just a slow-paced love story—it was a love letter to film, to memory, and to that quiet kind of connection that doesn’t need grand gestures to feel meaningful. It reminded me of why I used to love K-dramas in the first place. The subtle emotions, the attention to detail, and the quiet moments that linger—those were all here, and they hit just right.

It’s not a perfect series, and there were parts I struggled with, especially the second couple’s arc toward the end. But even with that, the story stuck with me. I didn’t rush through this one. I let it sit. And maybe that’s the kind of drama Melo Movie is—something you don’t binge, but something you feel.

If you’ve ever loved movies or miss the kind of storytelling that feels personal and a little nostalgic, this might be the drama to pull you in too.

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So cute!

Most of the recent manga adaptations have this crazy CEO/manager/director who comes on really strong with no clear reason for liking the female lead. I’m glad this series actually explores and explains why he fell so hard for her. It made it more memorable, and honestly, I was giggling and kicking my feet like a little schoolgirl in love. It was so sweet and cute! I can’t wait for the rest of the episodes to air!

Final update:
I finally got the chance to complete this series, and I’m a bit disappointed with the direction the story took. Was this an adaptation? Maybe that’s why the drama went this route—typical rich in-law sabotaging the marriage trope. It's been a while since I started watching, and maybe the magic of the fluffiness has worn off. I might have to rewatch the entire thing from beginning to end to see if my rating changes. For now, I’m dropping it a few points just because I didn’t like how things went after he left for Canada.

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HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I stayed because of the plot twist, only to discover that the beginning was a twist within another twist. I debated writing a spoiler-filled review, but I’ve decided to keep it short because this series deserves a chance.

I recommend trying the first episode; if it doesn't grab you, feel free to drop it. However, I’m confident you’ll want to continue with the next few episodes. This drama has a certain charm that pulls you in, making it hard to stop until the end.

Things I love about this series:

It is a short series. At roughly three hours total, it’s perfect for binge-watching over a weekend or even in a single day like I did.

With shorter series, it’s often hard to like the cast or characters, but I found myself falling in love with both.

Along with short series, sometimes the costumes or editing are off. But I appreciate the aesthetic, and the edit…especially the colors they choose for the historical theme.

Even without the plot twists, I would have enjoyed the story of the time-traveling princess.

For the first time, I don't have anything bad to say about a short series. I truly appreciate how the story unfolds and how well each character fits into the drama.

I highly recommend giving this series a try—you won’t be disappointed!

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Do not be tricked, it is not labeled as comedy, but it is. Back from the Brink is so comical I don’t remember how many times I laughed and cried and went back to laughing again. I truly think in this series Zhou Ye as the lead won me over. I last saw her in Word of Honor. I remembered her character because of the sad ending of her love story and her bratty attitude. I really wasn’t expecting much from her in this series but she proved me wrong. Let's not forget Riley Wang, man I adore his character in here. I bet the both of them had a ball behind the scenes seeing how funny they were.

Back from the Brinks opens with a betrayal on a couple’s wedding night. Because of this, it captivated my attention at the beginning, and I had to continue with the series. His body parts and heart are torn and sealed away in different places. ML and FL later meet, with ML finding out FL has his heart. Their journey starts as they try to find the rest of his body parts leading to meeting funny, loving individuals and losing individuals they love.

What I love about this series:
The cinematography and the beautiful cgs.
The side characters. You can’t help but grow to love some of them. I still can’t believe Zuo Ye is in here!!!!
The storyline.
FL acting and her character
Riley’s character
Lot of scenes that will make you laugh and cry all within the same episode.

What I didn’t like:
Felt super long, I just finished Love you Seven time so I was expecting a pace similar to that but this one felt long and I skipped a lot.
Let's be honest, how many of us were ready to go head-to-head with Su Ying's character. Just had to put it out there :D

Neo acting. There were just some moments where I felt he could have done more but he kept himself in check a lot and thought about appearance more than acting. But that is just my personal thoughts.

Recommended if you are looking for the next wuxia to watch. Also, recommended if you are a fan of Neo and Zhou Ye or Riley. I think they come a long way

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Sweet and cute series

I’m writing this review as I’m thinking about another series. Literally just finished Back from the Brink after Love You Seven Times. I couldn’t contain my excitement to see Yang Chao Yue because she has come such a long way. I saw her and Neo in a variety show a while back and it was super cute. I was super happy to see both him and her having a new series out the same year.

Love you seven times had a lot of chemistry. For sure, Ding Yu Xi won my heart in this series. The last time I saw his work was from Romance of Tiger and Rose. I wasn’t very impressed with that series but this one…he won my heart over!!!!

Here are some things I love about this series:
I love the outfits, the attention to the details was just spot on.
The length of the episodes, I’m glad it was a short series.
The flow and the pace of the story. I ended up binge-watching this entire series because it was so easy to watch.
The opening theme. I automatically recognize the singer.
The cast.
The different lifetimes they had. I’m glad they were not painfully long and they were just perfect!!

The only con I had was these carefree happy FL leads we tend to get in Wuxia.
I recommend it to anyone looking to watch a short, sweet, and romantic wuxia series.

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