9
16
This review may contain spoilers
Destiny & Fate - Pope & Bella are just meant to be (on screen)
I enjoyed this drama but it was not as engaging or absorbing as Season 1. They did not pay a lot of attention to events and even skipped over major scenes that would have made the viewers very happy. Everything was just skimmed over and it felt like the story was spread too thin. At least they did not omit the love scenes.Rid the ML in Phrom Likit was not as charismatic as Por Dech in Bhuppae Sunniwat. To be honest, I found all three characters played by Pope in season 2 to be somewhat disappointing. Por Dech despite being married to Karaked (Kedsurang) for so long, felt to be stuck in the old ages still, Rueang was not featured much and when featured, was sort of boring and finally Rid, despite given all the right prompts was way too passive for someone so in love.
I liked all the other characters especially the ones in the court and the Khun Luang. It was a bunch of good-looking men. Great was just so handsome as the King and despite being annoying at times, he turned out to be such a decent, fair character. He's got a fun scene in the last episode that he just stood out.
The final episode almost redeemed the show for being draggy towards the end but I don't know why it had to include certain events. It would still have been a memorable show if it ended on the best note ever but it seems nowadays, writers seem to think that they have to include something unpleasant in order to make an impression on the viewers. Still one could assume that the ending was meant to show how destiny and fate come into play in the cycle of life.
That said, I did enjoy this show and looked forward to each episode. I ship Pope and Bella a lot and I was imagining that what Rid was saying to Phuttarn could be applied to Pope finally confessing to Bella now that she's single - haha! The chemistry was undeniably good and I love that they still show the older couple as being all lovey dovey.
Also, I love the outfits - the way they matched the couples' clothing in color and style was so well done! All the guest stars were also a nice addition to the show.
The OST included songs that I liked from Season 1 and the ones introduced in Season 2 were also pleasant.
Overall, I would recommend this show. It would be difficult not to compare this to Season 1 but it is still a very entertaining watch.
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More of a smooth scenic drive than an emotional roller coaster ride
On the surface, a story about a royal physician framed for conspiracy against the royal family, and his quest to right the wrong done to him may not be a candidate for a feel-good show. However, Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist was surprisingly chill with beautiful cinematography, soothing color palates for the sets and outfits and a great selection of songs and background music.Even-keeled, endearing and easy to watch - this drama was one of those shows that go down smooth and make one smile. There were conflicts, melodrama and palace politics but nothing heavy that dragged me down and stressed me out. That said, there was also nothing intense that left me waiting in anticipation for the next episodes. Overall, it was the kind of show where one can leave the world behind for a bit, get a temporary mood boost and not think too much about it until the next episodes aired.
The story followed the adventures of physician Yoo Se Yeop/Poong, who after exile, ended up with a makeshift family headed by Kye Ji Han, a village doctor running the Gyesu clinic. Having suffered PTSD and unable to use his acupuncture skills, Poong ended up healing people by focusing on their emotional issues. Hence his transition to becoming more of a psychiatrist.
The Gyesu clinic family was hilarious and I enjoyed watching how they did so much to uplift and support each other in their own ways. Their interactions were so organic that I could feel the love, warmth, and camaraderie among the different characters. It was an ensemble cast guaranteed to constantly entertain. The villains fell flat though, almost farcical in how stereotypical they were.
There was romance but a slow burn kind; a perfect cocktail of sweet and silly as our young couple navigated through their awakening feelings of love and attraction for each other. Watching the natural buildup of a relationship between Poong and Sun Woo was time well spent.
In general, the cast did a great job. I see the potential in Kim Min Jae and Kim Hyang Gi but as main leads, they are not quite there yet. Something is missing, and they just don’t have the lead aura yet and they do need to hone their emoting skills further. I am sure that they will get there after a few more dramas.
Music-wise, some songs were not what I would expect from a historical drama. Still, they were fitting for this drama and I really like the instrumental pieces that underscored the more poignant scenes.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this drama and I felt that it never got the views and higher ratings that it deserved. While I would have preferred a lovely happy ending to Season 1, I am happy that there will be a season 2 which is expected to air in January 2023.
Soundtrack:
By Your Side (사랑스런 너의 곁에) - Solji (솔지)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKTfioKlWa8
https://open.spotify.com/track/3beMVL4X8krvydjvUToFTm
I Guess I Like You (그댈 많이 좋아하는가 봐요) - Hello Gayoung (안녕하신가영)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF7YJY8rY08
https://open.spotify.com/track/7IP4kpJo2r5EGvKmQIpjtG
She (반짝이는 그대여) - Standing Egg (스탠딩 에그)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-3dkb6AkIM
https://open.spotify.com/track/0BnIEkvcwpCH0UhPUqtUTg?si=005aa1e2a1ff43dd
Luminous (눈이 부시게) - Sohyang (소향)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvufDr9GhwQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/3fQTr5geEQ2q8kgdqx44gl?si=f3c18dc76a32475e
Starlight (별빛처럼) - Xydo (시도)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR6SfjFa0ms
https://open.spotify.com/track/24dSyqfPW6WNzdegehvuBw?si=70fa3a46920442bf
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Zany drama that offers a fresh approach to the supernatural and a few well-meaning lessons of life
If you are hesitant to watch "Sell Your Haunted House" because you are not a fan of the horror genre, don't worry. Even though the ghost effects are really well done, they will likely do no more than startle you when you first see them. This is a show worth watching or at least try out because it checks all the checkboxes when it comes to great entertainment. It does a superb job drawing the viewers into each episode while keeping a good balance with the overarching mystery that ties the fates of the ML and FL together.* STORYLINE
This series stands out from the large repertoire of supernatural K-dramas because of its unique premise and different take on the subject. The drama follows Hong Ji Ah, a real estate agent who makes a living by performing exorcisms to rid spirits from haunted properties, after which her office manager, Joo Hwa Jung, will then sell those properties. It is actually kind of a genius move.
The crux of Ji Ah's story is that she is unable to send her mother's ghost off since her tragic death 20 years ago, and it is during her attempt to do so that led her to cross paths with Oh In Beom. In Beom and his sidekick, Heo Ji Cheo, are conmen who set up fake apparitions to scare and scam people. However, the story drops hints that these guys are actually not that bad as they mainly target people with ill-gotten gains.
A temporary partnership is formed after Ji Ah discovers In Beom's ability as a special medium who could help her exorcise her mother's spirit. At the same time, Im Beom realizes that his past could be related to Ji Ah's mother. That is when the plot takes off.
Interestingly, as the drama weaves through the episodes, it touches upon social issues like problems affecting older people, the terror of stalking, and others more pertinent to real estate, like lives ruined and lost through real estate speculation.
Each vengeful ghost's story is compelling, some of them more poignant and sadder, but each exorcism rights the wrongdoing against the ghost and provides a sense of satisfaction for the viewers. I like how the show presents the exorcisms in different ways and views of the spirit world, preventing it from becoming formulaic and predictable.
This drama offers a little bit of everything, and it will even make you feel hungry as many episodes feature delicious-looking Korean food! There is light and dark comedy, mystery, drama, and fantasy. You will probably shed more tears than expected, feel sympathy, and relish the character growth of the leads as one learns more about the converging backstories of Ji Ah and In Beom. There is an underlying romantic current between the two, but the show is not obvious about it. Instead of spending too much time on the romance, the show focuses on the main narrative. The hints are there, though with the witty bantering, the glances and stares, and the definite awareness of each other's presence and importance.
What I appreciate the most is that, instead of relying mainly on "shocking" plot twists that end up being predictable, the show teases the viewers from the start about certain revelations while effectively keeping us guessing about what will happen next.
* CINEMATOGRAPHY & MUSIC
KUDOS to everyone that worked on this show, including the screenwriters, director, cast, set designers, stylists, CGI production team, music producers/editors, and songwriters. You can tell that everyone brought their A-game. The level of attention to detail is incredible - from the camera work and lighting, the set and the props, the characters' styling – everything is well-thought-out and results in masterful storytelling. Just the way Ji Ah performs each exorcism is done so meticulously, and in general, every detail is there for a reason.
The music track is terrific, and the background music appears to be carefully composed for effects and emotions. I particularly love the instrumental piece that plays during many of the emotional and dramatic scenes. Melancholic and sentimental, this is the most touching piece for the whole drama. The OSTs are also memorable, and I always like it when the actors contribute to the soundtrack. In this case, Jung Yong Hwa sang the opening credit song, "I Got Ya" and Jung Nara sang the catchy tune "Daydream". For posterity, I listed the songs from the soundtrack at the end of my review.
* CHARACTERS & CAST
The casting is spot-on, with the lead actors portraying their quirky characters well. For the cast who has a great rapport with each other, this drama provides an opportunity for them to show off or expand their acting abilities.
I love that the characters are shades of gray. There are the antagonists who feel justified in their actions, and we also have the protagonists who make bad decisions, say and do things they do not mean in the heat of the moment. The show scores points with dynamic characters who struggle with their actions, who are not always clear if they are doing the right thing or what the right thing even is.
Notably, the more recent dramas are undergoing a welcome shift to featuring more substantial and more admirable female leads. Jang Na Ra as Ji Ah is no exception; you should see her take down the living and dead. I read that she did Parkour training, and it shows - she looks amazing doing the stunts and fight scenes! Her personality is as caustic as it is endearing, especially when we know about her complex and dark past. Her online shopping habit, which constantly frustrates her mother, is a nice bit of comic relief. I love her black focused outfits and her make-up. Seriously, Jang Na Ra has proven her acting chops over and over again. Just watch her in "Fated to Love You" with Jang Hyuk (love that guy!), and you can see the contrast in characters. Even the way she grieves in each show is subtly different, or at least to me, it is. Hah! Perhaps my bias is showing.
Jung Yong-Hwa does an excellent job as the smooth yet goofy In Beom. I liked Jung Yong-Hwa's performance in "The Package", and in this show, he has shown that he can match up to Jang Na Ra's screen presence, except during the more emotional scenes. In all fairness, though, it would be hard for most to cry as amazingly as Jang Na Ra. He has fantastic chemistry with her, and the dynamic between them is captivating. The romance is not the main focus, but I find myself shipping them. However, if they do get together, that means In Beom cannot be a medium. Oh, the dilemma! If you are wondering what do I mean by that, watch the show!!! Minor spoiler - it's cute to see In Beom as Ji Ah's personal heat pack, warming her up not only physically but also mentally. Her character development is heart-warming as she slowly opens up to In Beom.
The supporting actors also deserve praise! Including Kang Hong Suk as In Beom's extremely loyal sidekick - Chief, Kang Mal Geum as Joo Hwa Jung, who pulls off being so gray that she stresses me out throughout the show, and last but not least, Baek Eun Hye as Hong Mi Jin, Ji Ah's mother. Baek Eun Hye did such a great job emoting as a ghost who is silent throughout the show.
The weak link for me is Do Hak Sung, the shady developer. He is rather lacking as the ultimate villain and his cronies pretty one-dimensional. That's the main reason why I did not rate this show a 10. That said, Ahn Kil Kang as Do Hak Sung really does present a physically imposing presence.
* OVERALL
"Sell Your Haunted House" is a show done right, one that manages to take a fresh approach to the supernatural genre. The writing is excellent, the story is interesting, entertaining, funny, touching, sweet - basically all the feels, the cast is commendable, the directing and editing is nicely done, and the music track is well selected. Give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
* Sell Your Haunted House OSTs
1- Jung Yong Hwa - I Got Ya
2- Jang Jung Hyuk - Don't cry
3- Shin Min Jung - Don't ask
4- Jang Nara - DAYDREAM
5- NIA - Only one
6- Jung Yi Han - Someday
7 - Damu - in Dream
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This review may contain spoilers
Love, Fate, and Irony
A Demon Hunter’s Romance is not just a story about love or a hero vanquishing evil. While the romance between the leads is central and wonderful to watch, and the action scenes delivered all the magic and mayhem you'd expect, the heart of the drama lay deeper — in a poignant exploration of identity, fate, and the acceptance of who we are and how we’re ultimately meant to fulfill our destinies.Ren Jia Lun, the male lead, played Xuan Ye — a stoic and formidable demon hunter raised by a family of physicians who also hunted demons. Haunted by a past tragedy, he carried on the family legacy not out of blind duty, but with a deep sense of compassion shaped by his father's teachings. His father often emphasized that just as humans can choose between good and evil, so too can demons. Little did anyone know that this belief stemmed from a reason far more surprising than simple moral philosophy. Guided by these principles, Xuan Ye approached his duty with careful judgment rather than vengeance. There was no clear line between what was considered good and evil — and it’s in this gray space that the drama found its emotional depth. Told through four main arcs, the series unfolded as a meditation on what it truly means to be good, and whether our lives are shaped more by the species we belong to or by the choices we make.
Ban Xia, portrayed by Song Zu Er, was Xuan Ye’s love interest, and her character growth was one of the most satisfying arcs in the drama. Initially timid, naive, and soft-spoken, Ban Xia nevertheless proved herself to be a strong-willed young woman who refused to let others dictate her life. Despite operating within the constraints of her society, she made her own choices and forged her own path. In the earlier episodes, she was often overshadowed by the chaos and stronger personalities around her. That changed after a pivotal story arc — one of the highlights of the series — where Ban Xia proved herself truly "a strong female lead". From that point on, she found her voice and strength. Her optimism and confidence never faded, but they evolved into a fierce, unwavering determination. She became a woman who knew what she wanted and was unafraid to fight for it — especially when it came to standing by Xuan Ye’s side no matter the cost. Her love for him was powerful not because it was blind, but because it was a choice made with clarity and courage.
There was a shared past between them, and through a twist of fate, their paths crossed once again. Their slow-burn romance was not just sweet — it was healing. It reflected a bond forged through trust, shared struggles, and the belief that people — or demons — are more than what the world labels them to be. The progression of their relationship felt natural and unforced, with scenes turning mundane activities into romantic moments.
Since this was a Ren Jia Lun drama, anyone familiar with his work knew not to expect a lot of skinship — but they also knew to expect emotional depth in every scene, including the romantic ones. As expected, RJL delivered once again. Through his expressions, body language, and excellent delivery, he conveyed a remarkable range of emotions with nuance and sincerity. (Side note and minor spoiler: the show did surprise us with a couple of kisses — or more like sweet pecks! 😄) Song Zu Er paired beautifully with him. While their chemistry wasn’t the fiery, sizzling type, it felt warm and genuine. Together, they made an endearing couple that had viewers rooting for them from beginning to end. While not as seasoned as RJL, Song Zu Er held her own in the emotional scenes. There were moments where her crying felt slightly overacted, and others where her facial expressions needed refinement — but overall, her performance was engaging and enjoyable to watch.
There was also a secondary couple in the drama, but I wasn’t as drawn to them. I liked both characters individually, but together, they just didn’t click for me. Their relationship felt more like a plot checkbox than a natural progression. In general, the supporting cast added some nice variety and helped move the story along. While none of them stood out in a major way, a few definitely grew on me — especially Chi Xue, Xuan Ye’s loyal and often amusing sidekick. And of course, some of the supporting characters were downright easy on the eyes, which certainly added to the entertainment factor.
Another highlight of the show was the soundtrack. The OST really elevated the emotional scenes, with standout tracks including 予你人间 (To Gift You This World) performed by Song Zu Er herself. I was hoping Ren Jia Lun would lend his voice to the soundtrack, as he has done in other dramas, but sadly, we didn’t get to enjoy his lovely vocals this time around.
The fourth and final arc brought the story full circle, returning to its central theme as the happy world Xuan Ye and Ban Xia built together slowly began to unravel. As Xuan Ye delved deeper into the mystery of his past and began to uncover the truth about his real identity, the lovely future our couple had imagined together seemed less and less likely. Throughout the drama, the show dropped hints, allowing viewers to piece together fragments of his origin — enough to sense where the story was headed, even if we weren’t ready to accept it. Many of us saw the inevitable coming, but we still held onto hope that the show would find a way to give Xuan Ye and Ban Xia their happy ending. Like Ban Xia, I earnestly believed that if they tried hard enough, they could make it work.
At the end of it all, while I had hoped for a more satisfying happy ending, I could accept the one we got. It was fitting and beautifully bittersweet. This was, after all, a love story between two people from entirely different worlds — a human and a demon — and one that was never meant to be in the conventional sense. Xuan Ye couldn’t turn his back on his people or his responsibilities, not even for love. With his world in turmoil, it was up to him to bring order and hope back to it. I was disappointed, though, that the writer didn’t leave us with at least an open ending. When even Ban Xia herself gave up, and neither of them asked if she could go with him, along with the other scenes with no other promises, it felt like the writer firmly closed the door on any future for them — a real missed opportunity.
Overall, A Demon Hunter’s Romance was a wonderful journey, and my rating reflects just how much I enjoyed the show as a whole. Even though the ending wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for, it still felt ok for the story. At the very least, it stayed true to the characters and avoided the kind of senseless twist with death thrown in just for the sake of drama.
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Only if you are a fan of fight scenes, Mik or Louis
Would I recommend this lakorn?Yes - if you like action, more specifically hand combat because even though everyone went around carrying guns, they would rather fight. The hand combat is probably the better part of the show with Mik as Dave and Louis as Drago coordinating well and duel fighting against the bad guys.
No - if you are looking for romance. Very little chemistry between the main couple. Visually, they looked good together, but their interactions were rather stiff. Other than some hugs and a forehead kiss, and lots of "Are you OK?" from the ML, there was nothing else to satisfy the viewers. There was much more chemistry between the two male leads with their constant nodding and exchanging of looks with each other. There was definite romance for the secondary couple. Even then, it was a little unbelievable since the girl did so much bad stuff to the guy, so he's a total doormat to me.
No - if you are looking for a good story execution. Everything is kind of weakly linked together and some loose ends were never explained. This drama could have wrapped up without the extra 10 episodes, but the director must really like fight scenes since that was at least a showdown between the good and bad guys in every episode. Also, the bad guys were always around because the good guys must really wanted to make merit and they would never kill the bad guys. In fact, they constantly welcomed them back into the group. With this group of leads, you get infinite chances to do all sorts of evil stuff because the leads just never learn their lessons. It's like rinse and repeat - "Oh we got attacked doing this...that's ok, let's do it again because it cannot possibly happen again...ooops." Or someone is told not to leave the safety of the place because she's targetted and the next minute, she does exactly that...
Maybe - if you are a fan of Mik or Louis. They carried the show, more Louis in my opinion. They looked good and they did well in the fight scenes. Preaw did not impress me at all. She constantly had a shell-shocked look and her character was just ok, a little weak and useless. She's pretty much there to be a damsel in distress. Even though she can shoot a gun, no one gave her one to protect herself even though everyone else had one. She was constantly hiding in the best spots to be caught. Her strength is that the Naga won't eat her.
Speaking of Nagas, they showed up during some crucial moments but they were not featured much. The story was connected to them but as I mentioned before, kind of loosely. The story was also about past lives, but the plot development there was bad, and I think they cut out scenes since those scenes were shown in the ending credits but not in the show itself.
The best part for me is the romantic OST. The intro rock song was interesting but way too long. It was about 3 and half minutes long and really dragged into the start of the show.
Overall, I started off enjoying the show but it got too draggy. I would ask people to give it a watch and feel free to skip some episodes since you won't miss much.
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A good mix of melodrama and sweetness after a so-so start
I finally finished this drama after having it on my Hold list for ages. I just could not get past how spineless the FL in the beginning but I really like Wallace Chung and his acting. I'm glad that I gave it another chance because the FL got better towards the later part of the show (after ep 22).The plot was not unique but really quite lovely, about a couple who fell in love in college, separated due to misunderstandings and past grievances, and in the end found their way back to each other. The drama featured flashbacks of their college days
and those episodes were good. Kudos to Luo Yun Xi and Janice Wu for their portrayals of the leads in their younger days. I cannot believe how much these two actors have progressed in their careers.
I am not too impressed by Tiffany Tang's acting and I think she could portrayed the FL better especially in the beginning. Her wimpiness was too pathetic but it could be because of the script and directing. She looked really pretty though even in the ridiculous outfits that the show dressed her in. I really questioned the stylist and the choices for her.
Wallace was great as the ML, displaying a myriad of emotions. He can ham it up during the comedic moments and adopt a cold stone face when the moment called for it. He Yichen, the character himself was not the perfect ML but his commitment once he decided the FL was the one, was swoon-worthy. His hairstyle though - LOL, again I am not sure what the stylist was thinkinig. Other than his hairstyle though, he looked pretty suave in his suits.
Love the shenanigans of the law office and the fashion magazine folks, and I enjoying watching the second couple's path to love - truly a hate to love relationship!
Most may view the SML, Ying Hui as being annoying for his refusal to give up but I was actually quite intrigued by him. Honestly, if the FL chose to be with him, I would have been fine too. He was good-looking, successful, smart and also committed to the FL. I have seen Tan Kai, the actor in more recent shows and I must say that he's aging very well.
I really enjoyed the soundtrack especially the opening song, "My Sunshine" by Zhang Jie, the angsty "Why Love" by Wallace Chung and the equally emotional "A Ray of Light" by Hua Chen Yu. Tiffany also sang a lovely one for the show called Long Time No See. I am not sure why they selected the English song - most of the time, it did not fit the scenes. For posterity, I have list the songs below.
Overall, the later episodes and the really great ending left me satisfied, and the college scenes made this show a good one for me. I would recommend it but with the advice that if you feel your interest faltering, you should try to get past episode 22 because it does get better later. At least for me, it did.
OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU-7klSJJms
00:00 Jason Zhang Jie - My Sunshine (Opening Theme Song) | 张杰 - My Sunshine
https://open.spotify.com/track/4ZHbDjROaPH8KWXn20ZRmT
04:24 Wallace Chung - Why Love? (Ending Theme Song) | 钟汉良 - 何以愛情
https://open.spotify.com/track/3jnhJ37cVGK92lbyQhYhgx
09:16 - Tiffany Tang Yan - Long Time No See | 唐嫣 - 好久不見
https://open.spotify.com/track/6iWESa3J8akk6C1lovuuHI
14:00 Hua Chenyu - A Ray of Light / Glimmer | 华晨宇 - 微光
https://open.spotify.com/track/2pxbYnrJ3tUDMZaBPCtvdZ
18:23 Gao Shan - The Road Not Taken / To April | 高姗 - The Road Not Taken
https://open.spotify.com/track/4XTtNQcDJ1hyl8Dy5arn7B
22:03 Gao Shan - When I Met You, All The Stars Fell On My Head | 高姗 - 遇見你的時候所有星星都落到我頭上
https://open.spotify.com/track/56xLSzX5lcYHCaxc1W5fLR (not the Gao Shan version)
25:58 Fang Wu Wen Fang - Accumulated Loneliness / The Sum of Loneliness | 吳汶芳 - 孤獨的總和
https://open.spotify.com/track/1rhPNTxshTaIrCkPrGn4KK
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Good story, well-paced episodes, great chemistry and satisfying ending...
I was anticipating this lakorn because of Esther and Jes pairing as the main couple, Arisara and Panin. Since I watched them in "Leh Ratree", I have been hoping to see them star together, but this time with Jes as the male lead. And they did not disappoint! I liked the chemistry between them, and they looked so gorgeous together. In fact, I wrote this review after watching it twice because there were scenes of them that I wanted to revisit and appreciate the gestures, the effects, and the words.Visually, musically, emotionally - The story unfolded pretty nicely for me, and the episodes flowed quickly, keeping up the pace and never losing the momentum. The show was by no means perfect, and there were loopholes in the plot. At times, Arisara's questionably stupid actions made me mad, but I chalked those up to the show trying to create melodrama to move the story along. In general though, this show was a good watch, and I never felt tempted to fast-forward or skip.
I wish that there were more episodes earlier focused on Arisara and Panin falling in love. The development of their relationship felt too short and somewhat rushed. That said, they were so lovely together, and Jes' portrayal of Panin falling hard and fast for Arisara was done nicely, and it was believable. There were only a few kisses and almost kisses, but the scenes hit the right emotions for me with the touching background music.
Panin was one of the best MLs I have seen in a Thai lakorn! He was charismatic, suave, and charming. Always the gentleman but assertive too, Panin never hesitated to express his feelings, and I loved watching Arisara's reactions whenever Panin flirted with her. He was really quite smooth - haha! Panin was also intelligent, and he can fight! Best of all, he was mature and reasonable, allowing the progression of his and Arisara's relationship to happen realistically despite years of major misunderstandings and separation. Panin was also savvy, knowing when to manipulate the situation to his advantage, and I like that he never misled the second female lead and remained true to his heart. He was also able to respect his father without bending to the unreasonable demands.
Jes can emote well with his eyes, and I enjoyed watching how Panin pined for Arisara, the stolen glances, and pensive stares. Jes did a great job overall, but he is not quite there as a male lead yet. For me, something is missing, and he does not have the male lead aura yet. I am sure that he will get there after a few more dramas under his belt.
Esther fitted the role of Arisara, our long-suffering female lead, perfectly, but then again, this is not surprising. I think she plays this kind of role best, and she looked really pretty in the show. Arisara can be considered as a plucky optimistic female lead with an admirable spirit that cannot be broken down. She can react too quickly and emotionally, which led to some frustrating outcomes. Still, Esther, who seems to be able to bring life to any character, was able to lead the audience to sympathize with Arisara was truly the victim and cheer for her as she bounced back, determined to right the wrong she suffered.
There was also a secondary couple, Lin Jong and Nont, whose endearing interactions increased my enjoyment of the show. Also, the young actor playing Pinyet/Pete was also pretty good and added the cuteness factor.
The villains also deserved kudos for adding the layers of manipulation and scheming that kept things fresh. It was also enjoyable to see the villains unravel as they got closer to being caught, and it was so gratifying to see them punished. Nicha Chokprajakchat was awesome as Lookmee, and she pulled off looking beautifully cold-blooded and ruthless. In my opinion, Lookmee got too much screen time, but since she always looked amazing in her outfits and hairstyles, I guess it was ok :D. Pokhai, the other antagonist, was played quite well by Chopin Noochintra. He appears to be new to lakorns, but I would say that he is off to a great start, acting in two of Esther's dramas.
However, the true villain has got to be Panin's father, Puchong, portrayed superbly by Kob Songsit Rungnopakunsi. Oh, he made my blood boil throughout the show with his prejudice, narrow mind, and ignorance. He was not a stupid man, but he was blinded by misplaced hate and self-righteousness. He was really the cause of all the heartache, but it was only during the last episode when he got his redemption.
The OSTs were well-done, with appropriate instrumental pieces underscoring the more poignant scenes. The theme song, Song Krai Kid Teung by Bird Thongchai is very fitting and sets a romantic, emotional tone for the show. The more I listen, the more I like it! Unfortunately, I could not find the links for two other songs played in the show. My one complaint is that, like most other lakorns, the music producers have not mastered the effective use and timing of melodramatic/suspenseful background music. It got too loud, and sometimes, the scenes fell flat because they did not match the music.
For posterity, I have listed the tracks that I could find in this review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kh-re0Wass
ใครคิดถึง Krai Kid Teung - BIRD THONGCHAI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM3uFeJNlRk
ใครคิดถึง Krai Kid Teung - cover by Jespipat Tilapornputt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm2N4gntigI&list=RD2kh-re0Wass&index=3
Undo - POP PONGKOOL X WONDERFRAME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emv3FYWFcLY
Chairai - BOWKYLION
On the whole, I do recommend this lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked on it just like I was.
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The best revenge is to move on and let karma do the rest
This review is for Season 1 and 2.Krachao Seeda delivered the emotional rollercoaster that I expect from a Thai lakorn! The plotline is nothing new, but I enjoyed the story, and the pacing was good. There's definitely tons of slapping where almost no one was spared, and there was melodrama and angst when I found my heart wrenching or my blood pressure rising numerous times. However, throw in the happy and satisfying scenes, and you get an addictive drama that kept me binge-watching it. The main messages were karma, knowing one's self-worth, and valuing one's dignity.
After having experienced the spectrum of emotions, from the villains making my blood boil watching them plot and play dirty to the feelings of enjoyable romance watching the interactions between the ML and FL, the best part by far was seeing the good guys triumphed over the evil schemes repeatedly. This is so gratifying since there are so many lakorns where the bad guys keep winning until the last episode when they finally get their due punishment or redemption because forgiveness is a key virtue. The rating should be higher, but I guess a rating above 7.5 is considered high for a Thai drama on MDL.
I started this show because of Nune Woranuch, who played Nampink, the FL, but ultimately I binge-watched because of Got Jirayu, who portrayed the ML, Aumpon. I first noticed him in Love Destiny, looking so fine as Luang Surasak, but he stole my heart in this drama. A perfect ML, so charming, charismatic, and attractive...Aumpon may be younger than Nampink, but he was mature, thoughtful, protective, and committed to his love for Nampink. One of my favorite genres is when the ML falls for the FL first, and it was cute how Aumpon smoothly expressed his feelings to Nampink. I love how Got's eyes crinkled as he smiled widely, but his playful expressions can transform so effortlessly into serious and menacing ones when he stared down the villains. I have nothing but praises for Got's acting in this show, and I look forward to him playing more lead roles.
Nampink was a strong female lead, like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Beautiful, decisive, and resourceful, she handled herself with elegance and grace even through heartbreak and betrayal. I like that Nampink was intelligent, and even when she felt devastated, she executed her revenge so nicely and cleanly against the people who did her wrong. Nune has the aura of a commanding female lead, and it is not surprising that she was proclaimed as one of the royalty of Thai dramas. She is gorgeous and I spent the whole show admiring her hair and fashion. In fact, I loved all the female characters' outfits! The production designer deserved a shout-out for such excellent choices but seriously, does the Thai high society really dress like the way they do in the dramas?
As individual characters, our leads were likable, and as a couple, they were admirable and endearing. So supportive and understanding of each other, they were able to take down the villains by anticipating their next moves and laying traps for the bad guys. The chemistry was good, and I wish they had more kissing scenes. That said, both actors were so on point with their expressions and body language that I did not need obvious gestures like kissing to see how well they played off each other. They have a unique dynamic that made it so interesting to watch them. Plus, Got just oozed sexiness, and the show enhanced that impression by playing the sexy background song almost every time he appeared on screen to charm Nampink.
The supporting cast was good, but I was not interested in the second couple's relationship. I don't think it was executed very well, and I didn't exactly buy the idea that Ramnam and Lue loved each other in the end. Green Ausadaporn is lovely and was good as Ramnam, the scheming nangrai who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, but something was lacking in her overall delivery. I think that the SFL was supposed to be a more complex character, fighting against societal prejudice and oppression, but Green's acting did not come through for me. She was good with her smirks and sneers, and she totally brought out the dislike in me. However, she did not do as well in the more emotional scenes. The same thing with Peter Corp Dyrendal, who played Lue, the SML who was supposed to be in love with Nampink even after he betrayed her but then all of a sudden, he was in love with Ramnam towards the end. I pitied Ramnam's mother the most, but in a way, she was the one who enabled Ramnan's wickedness.
The music list was not long, but the soundtrack was memorable, including the sexy song I now will always associate with Got…Haha! For posterity, I have listed the main songs below. Unfortunately, the show did not balance the dramatic background music well, and it can be quite jarring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tCPuOIeSHo
เพลง : พิง (Song: Lean)
นักร้อง : NONT TANONT (Singer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SHtrQNYE90
เพลง : ความรัก (Song: Love)
ศิลปิน : โรส ศิรินทิพย์ (Singer: Rose Sirinthip)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhlXxelZZA
เพลง : ปม (Song:Crux)
ศิลปิน : ZANI ( ซานิ นิภาภรณ์ ) (Singer: ZANI (Sani Nipaporn))
I gave a decent rating for the re-watch value since I expect I will replay scenes of Aumpon and Nampink. On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. The story moved quickly with a great ending, good-looking actors who can act, and great music. So give it a try, and who knows, you may get hooked onto it just like I was.
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Sweet glimpses of romance, great chemistry and interesting storyline
I am often drawn to Thai Lakorns featuring time travel because most of them do not run on the same plot. This Lakorn follows Pete, our modern-day spoilt and irresponsible pra'ek who accidentally traveled back 100 years earlier during his great-grandfather Pian's era and ended up trading places with Pian. During that time, he also met Wan, played by Vill Wannarot. The twist to this story is that Pete thought Wan was his great-grandmother and tried his best unsuccessfully not to fall in love with her.One reason that made this drama enjoyable for me is the dual roles that Film Thanapat played as a present-day influencer and his great grandfather, who looked identical to him. Film did an excellent job switching between playful and adorable Pete and a more matured and dignified Pian. His microexpressions were great, and Film in all his roles so far has impressed me through his superb acting. That said, I think he could have handled the crying scenes better, especially compared to Vill. She as Wan did well, too, although she did not show as much range as Film. However, she was on-point during the emotional scenes. She cried so prettily that even when the scenes tugged at my heartstrings, I could not help but admire her loveliness. Together they made a great-looking couple, and that heightened my enjoyment of the show.
While I was thrilled at the plot about two separate worlds bringing together two soul mates, I find the romantic tension a little lacking. There was not enough build-up of attraction and awareness of each other that convinced me that these two were falling in love, except perhaps towards the end. The romance was relatively chaste with innocent skinship, which I don't mind if there were implied near kisses and increasing intimacy (just like the scintillating chemistry between Pope and Bella in "Love Destiny"). Still, there was definite chemistry between them, and I started off rooting for Pian and Wan first and then was won over by the sweet interactions between Pete and Wan.
Other than the romance between Pete and Wan, the main couple, there was also the secondary relationship between Pian and Pink, Pete's best friend in the present. This is where I thought Film shined as well. His ability to act restrained as old-fashioned Pian while showing interest and care for Pink using his eyes and expressions. Through the love story between Pian and Pink, the drama took on heavier topics and presented everything beautifully in the story; topics like family responsibilities versus personal desires, the way families were made up, the principles and values that one believed in and held tightly, and how one's actions can seriously change the outcome of the future.
Speaking of Pink, Bifern Anchasa deserved praise acting as the self-sacrificing love interest of Pian. The show was smart in writing her character as someone who believed in time travel and understood the consequences of one changing history. The side plot concerning Pian and Pink made sense to me, even though many commented that the ending could have and should have been different for them. It would be great if the show made a spin-off focusing on Pian and Pink. Without revealing spoilers, it is a workable plot so hopefully, the scriptwriters will note the viewer comments and the amount of interest generated in these two's relationship.
While watching the show, I could not help but think that the romantic storyline was a sweet excuse to highlight the achievements of the King during one of the prosperous periods of Ayutthaya kingdom - an era that brought many changes to today’s Thai society - and the tremendous respect that the Thai people have for their royal family.
The OST was great, and was effective in stirring up my emotions. There was only one main song and I included the link below for posterity. There were also a couple of instrumental pieces that set the tone well and appropriately for the scenes. If there was anything to complain about, it was how loud the background music got when it came to the suspenseful moments, and sometimes the music did not transition well. It is a common problem in many Lakorns, so I am not going to take off too many points for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-4HspJRgxM
กลางหัวใจ (เพลงประกอบละคร รักแลกภพ) - แอ๊ค The Golden Song【OFFICIAL MV】
The other thing that I did not enjoy was how the show dragged a little in the middle, with unnecessary drama involving characters that were not really the villains but could be considered the antagonists. Some of their actions and reactions did not quite make sense, and it seemed that the show would have benefited by cutting a couple of episodes out. I did not skip through the episodes, but it would not have made much of a difference if I did, especially towards the middle-end.
Finishing off on a positive note, I must say that visually, there was so much to enjoy - from the good-looking cast to the gorgeous outfits (past and present), to the settings and locations.
Overall, it is a light romantic drama that I think most will enjoy. If you like a little fantasy in your romance drama, then do give it a watch. Just let the story unravel and surprise you.
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Ah, what a feel-good series!
After reading the comments and reviews, I was expecting a lot of fluff, and that is exactly what this show delivered. This is truly a show with lots of heart, romance, and on-point comedy, one that is guaranteed to make you smile and cheer at least once.It is a simple love story, almost entirely focused on the OTP. Where the show excels is with its romance and phenomenal chemistry between its two leads. Both Matsui Airi and Itagaki Mizuki are great in their roles, and I can really feel the warmth they have on-screen together. They are so cute together that I would watch this show just for the couple's interactions. Yes, I did cringe a lot but in a good way.
I like that the ML and FL are both mutually attracted at the same time even though Manatsu-san acts all cool and detached initially, and I enjoyed watching the flirty teasing, cute jealousy, and growing love between them. The almost immediate racy skinship is a plus for me since it is rare in most Asian dramas. What I truly appreciate is the emphasis on open communication in a relationship and how the couple values honesty and respect between each other.
Despite the fluff and the short length, the show is well-executed, and everything is tied up nicely in the end. The starting song is fun to listen to and lends the same tone of optimism and positivity that is infused throughout the show. I have to admit that I kept waiting for something melodramatic to happen since the show would tease the audience with hints of potential rifts or serious issues. Fortunately, matters and misunderstandings are cleared up quickly, and the serious moments would transition into sexy ones.
The cast is a bunch of good-looking actors, and if nothing else, no matter who you look at - either Ami-chan, Manatsu-san, or the other characters, the visuals are pleasing.
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A Total Green Flag Male Lead
Not having watched the other related lakorn series like the Suparburoot Juthathep ones or the first Devaphrom one, I decided to jump straight into this one, hoping that I would be able to make sense of the show without knowing the characters' backgrounds. Fortunately, it was easy to understand the connections and relationships based on the references dropped in the show.Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai, the second part of the Devaphrom series, featured a young FL, Kwanruetai, who was plucky and street smart but sometimes quite rash. Kwan was also a natural beauty but was forced by her mother to hide all her loveliness under boyish clothes and caps. Her mother was the link to the Juthathep family, as she was M.L. Maratee Dhevaprom, the Nang'ek who was crazy about the ML's father and was totally in her own world, with her misconceptions about the Juthathep family betraying her, more specifically the ML's father jilting her.
Despite her rough and tough appearance, Kwanruetai managed to steal Khun Chat, our ML's heart. Khun Chat was an idealistic doctor known to his family as being disinterested in relationships and love. I enjoyed watching Khun Chat slowly fall for Kwanruetai's charms without her even trying. She was different from the other ladies that he had met, and one could tell that he was attracted to her after they butted heads a few times.
I like watching their relationship progress and Khun Chat was really such a green flag. He never wavered once he had his heart set on the FL and was determined to overcome all obstacles to be with her. His consistency and steadfast love for Kwanruetai from the start to the end showed his stability and commitment to her despite the trouble her mother gave him. Even though Kwanruetai wasn’t sure about her feelings at times and found it difficult to deal with the challenges, Khun Chat was still there for her.
It is also great that both leads were capable in their own ways. Despite his sweet baby face, the ML had a fine muscular physique and, being in the military, could fight. So can the FL, and she protected her loved ones quite well.
This lead couple was cute! Yada was cast well - she pulled off the tomboy tough act but is really quite lovely. Mikey is gorgeous and a good fit for Yada. There was chemistry between them, and they were adorable together. Being fairly new, both actors can certainly improve in their facial expressions, and sometimes, when Yada cried, I cringed. As for Mikey, he often had the same frozen look on his face, but when he smiled, he melted hearts, including mine. In general, both did a decent job and did not drag the drama down for me.
The second couple was sweet as well. Additionally, it was nice to see the strong family bonds among the Juthathep family, especially the siblings and their cousins. Many interesting characters showed up in the show, which piqued my interest. Now, I am intrigued by the stories of the older generation, so hopefully, I can find the shows from the 2013 series.
One drawback was that the villains felt one-dimensional. Of course, there was a female character who was always scantily clad and convinced that the ML was hers. Luckily, she did not appear in every episode, so she did not become too annoying. There was no second male lead; instead, there were heartwarming and supportive half-brothers.
What I disliked the most was how the FL always chose to give up everything and sacrifice her happiness for her mother, who clearly was mentally abusive towards her. I know in many Thai dramas, there is a strong emphasis on filial piety toward parents, but in this show, the mother was just too much. At first, I didn't even want to see her get any redemption. I only wanted the gratification of seeing her being punished for her ignorance and vileness.
However, the ending wrapped things up well and I don’t even mind the mother having found her way. There were even a 3rd, 4th, and 5th couple with their own sweet moments.
Overall, this was an enjoyable show, fun to watch, and worth the time. Now, I look forward to catching up with the first drama in the series and following the third one, which is airing right after. I would love to see Kwanruetai and Khun Chat again.
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This review may contain spoilers
Warning! The cringe factor is fairly high in the first few episodes. Scenes meant to create moments of sparks between the ML and FL were so contrived that they made me laugh out of embarrassment. I can only handle so many scenes of the FL accidentally falling into the ML’s arms.Still, I found the show entertaining and, in general, well-paced. It's an interesting plotline with a ML who hates lies and a FL who lies mainly to avoid conflict and hurting others as well as herself. Adding depth to the story was the subplot behind the love-hate relationship between the ML and the second ML. Throw in a scheming, bitchy third party vying for the ML's love, plus other villains so gratingly annoying, and you have a rom-com that is delightful but with enough drama to cause your blood pressure to rise at times.
I did wish that the romance between the lead couple started earlier, but mainly because the chemistry was great! Fang Zhi You was just so charming and adorable once he acknowledged his feelings for Xu Yi Ren. He was always trying to be romantic with her, and the skinship progressed so naturally. Their kissing moments were cute, and I like that they both can be honest about their lack of experience in love. The fact that Zhi You always told the truth made whatever he said to Yi Ren so much more meaningful, and he did say the sweetest things.
I was also touched by their commitment to each other and how they were both consistent in their acknowledgment privately and publicly that they were each other's one and only love. Even when others have assumed that their relationship has failed because Yi Ren did something unforgivable in Zhi You's eyes, it was heartwarming to see Zhi You not actually giving up on her, and for Yi Ren choosing to stay as close to him as possible even if it meant being humiliated repeatedly. It was endearing to watch Zhi You struggle with his principles, while his love for Xiren remained unwavering.
I was less interested in the second couple's relationship. The chemistry was not there for me, and I have to admit that I skipped through their scenes a few times.
The character development of the two leads in the show was the biggest plus point for me. I liked how Zhi You matured into someone who is more mindful of other people's feelings particularly Yi Ren's. I appreciate how he still valued honesty and did not lower his own standards throughout the show but instead he became more aware of social graces and the "give and take" aspect that was necessary in relationships. My favourite moment was when Zhi You realized that loving someone 100% mean accepting both their strengths and weaknesses.
It was also gratifying to see Yi Ren drawing strength from Zhi You's love and became braver. The development of her self-awareness and self-confidence was satisfying to watch, especially when she finally stood up against her nasty aunt and cousin, and their emotional blackmail. Yi Ren never did stop lying completely, but she did become more honest and true to herself and Zhi You. She realized that she did not need to lie to avoid conflicts and that it was better that she faced her problems upfront.
Fang Shi Yu, the little sister, and Li Zhe, the second male lead, were absolutely awesome, and they were the perfect catalyst for the lead couple's relationship. Shi Yu was an absolute breath of fresh air, and she was the voice of strength and reason. It was cute to see her advise her brother in the matters of the heart, and so refreshing to see her stand up to adults and put them in their places. Li Zhe was so charming and disarming, and even towards the end, his longing for Yi Ren was still palpable despite him accepting that Zhi You and Yi Ren were meant for each other, and that he wanted the best for them. I suffered a little of the second lead syndrome, especially since I became invested in Li Zhe's back story with Yi Ren. Ultimately, I am glad that he still got his happy ending with his father.
It would have been nice to see the other characters develop further like the villains actually learning from their mistakes. It was a bit anticlimactic for me when there were no retribution or lessons learned for the aunt and cousin. At least the uncle showed some backbone finally towards the end. I did find the way the show wrapped up He Yu Wen, the third party's story in a rushed manner, but at least there was closure between her and Zhi Yu.
Acting-wise, I thought Xin Yun Lai's portrayal of Fang Zhi You and Liu Hai Kuan's as Li Zhe were really good. Their micro-expressions were on point, and you can see the array of emotions play across their faces nicely. Of course, it does not hurt that they are both good-looking in their own ways. I look forward to seeing these two actors play the lead roles in more dramas going forward.
While I like Yi Ren, the character, I was less impressed by Liang Jie, who played her. I really tried throughout the 31 episodes to like her, but it just did not happen. I would not say that her acting was bad. In fact, I think she did fine overall, but there was just something lacking. It could be her' resting bitch face'. She often looked like she's pouty or bratty even during scenes that did not call for it.
Like in most of my reviews, I am going to comment on the wardrobe styling. I find that in most C-Dramas, they must have a low budget for the female lead wardrobe and again it is a miss for this show. Both male leads’ clothes were fine overall even though less enviable compared to other shows. The female lead’s styling however was terrible. All the over-sized Peter Pan and shawl collars!!! It’s 2020 for heaven’s sake! Why in the world did they have to make her look granny-like and dowdy? I realized that they want to contrast Yi Ren against He Yu Wen in terms of sophistication but they really went overboard!
The OST was all right. Other than the two tracks that I thought suited the moods of the scenes well, I didn’t remember any other ones.
Overall, I would recommend this show for its fluffy romance, interesting plot lines, and good looking actors. I would probably re-watch the cute romantic scenes. Typically 31 episodes would be borderline too long for me. The fact that I continued watching and completed the show means that others may enjoy it as well.
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This review may contain spoilers
I started watching Devilish Joy because of Choi Jin Hyuk. I watched him for the first time in 'Fated to Love You' and suffered the second lead syndrome so badly that I wanted to watch him in a show where he gets the girl. This drama captured my interest from the get-go, with an endearing story that started with the two leads falling in love at first meet. The show has all the key elements - great acting, a good mix of romance, comedy and melodrama, gorgeous cinematography, and good-looking actors. However, I have to warn you; it is also a bag of cliches! If you can get past the kdrama tropes, the show may pleasantly surprise you and exceed your expectations.
Choi Jin Hyuk as Gong Ma Sung looked really fine in his suits as the chaebol heir who was also a genius neurosurgeon. However, his character was not the typical cold and arrogant jerk. Instead, Gong Ma Seung was a warm-hearted, generous, and romantic man, who not surprisingly captured the female lead's heart immediately in the first episode. Choi Jin Hyuk did not disappoint, and he was able to convey so much through his expressions and body language. I was really into his character, and if I allow myself some fangirling - I love how his smile reaches his eyes and his voice...oh his voice!
It took me a little longer to warm up to the female lead, Joo Gi Bbeum. She seemed too silly for a 30-year-old top star, but she developed more depth soon after the first couple of episodes. Soon Ha Yoon was very believable as the unfortunate singer, who struggled against all sorts of challenges but managed to maintain her dignity. Her petite loveliness was a great match for Gong Ma Sung, and the chemistry between the two leads was palpable. This is a couple I can imagine as truly dating - their kisses (and there were many compared to other dramas) were so natural.
I also came to like Hoya's character, Sung Ki Joon - uncle/nephew bromance was fun to watch and their reunion scene was perfect!
Besides the leads, I did enjoy watching the other characters like Woo Jin and Nan Joo (the leads' sidekicks), and Gi Bbeum's family. They all had flaws that made them more relatable. However, I found the villains rather one dimensional and there was no character development. They are just shown as evil people with no other motives aside from greed. I found their backstories rather lacking, and not certainly not enough to explain why they hated Ma Sung or Gi Bbeum so much to inflict such terrible pain on them.
The music was good - the songs fit the moods accordingly but nothing memorable. I did not hear any that tugged at my heart strings and made me want to save it to a playlist.
As for the ending, I was very satisfied. Not going to lie, I almost didn't want to watch the final episode. The show went into full throttle drama towards the end and I was an emotional mess thinking that only a miracle can give me the happy ending that the characters deserve. Luckily, it is kdrama land after all, and one can toss all reasoning and logic aside. That said, I like that the show did not wrap up everything too neatly and the happy ending was not overly done with Gong Ma Sung recovering completely from his illness. With that, I ended the show with a feeling of hope, and thinking that there's potential for a season 2.
Overall, this drama is pretty entertaining. Yes, there were plenty of cliches but the story was well developed. The romance, focused on unconditional and timeless love was heartwarming and there were enough subplots to beef up the drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Do yourself a great favour and watch this drama!
There are already so many reviews, but I felt compelled to add mine since this is now one of my top favourite Chinese dramas. Now, I have not seen Eternal Love, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms After Story, nor have I read the novel, so my review is entirely based on the show alone.I didn't expect this show to be so addictive! I was so reluctant to watch the last few episodes, and I even waited for a couple of weeks before I finally finished it. I just did not want it to end. It is also my first show that is longer than 50 episodes. I have a habit of needing to complete any show (and not dropping it), so I tend to avoid long period dramas. However, I made an exception this time because of the great chemistry between the main leads. The trailers drew me in, and my only regret is that I did not watch it sooner. I really love the story! Even though some reviews stated that certain parts got draggy, I truly enjoyed the different arcs - from when Feng Jiu became Dong Hua's pet fox to the final battle at the end. Of course, fortunately for me, the ending was a satisfying one; otherwise, I would be so heartbroken that I would probably swear off Chinese period dramas for good.
Dilraba and Vengo really nailed their characters! I cannot imagine anyone else playing Feng Jiu with so much sass. Dilraba is mesmerizing, and it is completely believable when the character was described as a legendary beauty. She portrayed the future Queen of Qing Qiu with such grace and I love that Feng Jiu was also intelligent (albeit naive at times), good in martial arts and weapon making, and her culinary skills so exceptional that it won Dong Hua's attention. The same thing with Vengo - he played Dong Hua Di Jun with perfection. His acting range shone as he switched from icy handsome god to adorable pouty lover with endearing, smoldering looks reserved just for Feng Jiu. Also, while I have not seen that many period dramas, I cannot think of anyone else who looked so attractive in white hair (other than his own offspring)!
I also look for micro-expressions when it comes to acting skills, and both of them pulled it off so well. After all, they each had to portray three different character personalities, and they went through so many emotional periods of different levels across the various realms. The chemistry between these two was off the chart, and I truly enjoyed watching them fall in love even when they did not realize that their relationship was forming. I usually keep my interest strictly within Dramaland, but this is one of the very very few couples so far where I hope would become one from reel to real. I totally ship them together.
As for the rest of the cast - major applause! All of them did amazingly and so many good looking ones all in a one show :-) I was genuinely interested in the different characters - Lian Song, Cheng Yu, Chi Wu, Si Ming, super cute Ah Li, Zhe Yan (Baron!!!), Su Mo Ye, Qing Ti, Meng Shao and the list goes on! These characters completed the show. And yes, I have to mention Ji Heng, who was the one character I hated, not the actress who did a good job but the character - boy was I upset with her actions towards the end!
Other than that, the CGI effects were fantastic. It was obvious that they put a lot of thought and effort into creating the various realms and worlds. The fox was so well done, and I could not find any bad effects. Music-wise, also well-done! I have already added the OST soundtrack to my playlist.
The rewatch value is high for me since I am already rewatching it. Haha! As I said, this show is addictive!
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Not Perfect, But Worth It
This drama took a while to find its footing, but once it did—especially after the midpoint—the story truly picked up. I’d encourage anyone starting this series to stick with it past the initial episodes, as the second half delivers more romance, entertainment, depth and character development.I did enjoy the show overall, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the writers were unsure about what kind of story they wanted to tell. While the setup involving the female lead traveling back in time was intriguing, the connection between her time-traveling and her actions in the past often felt loosely defined, even inconsistent at times. The plot tended to skim the surface rather than dive deep into the potential of its themes, which left the execution feeling somewhat messy.
One of the more significant themes—advocating for equal rights and legal protections for sex workers—surfaced sporadically throughout the series. It was especially noticeable in the beginning and then re-emerged more strongly toward the end, suggesting that this was meant to be a key message of the show. However, I wish this theme had been more consistently and thoughtfully woven into the narrative rather than treated as an afterthought to wrap up the show.
That said, the romance was the heart of this drama, and it was beautifully portrayed for me. Bow and Pon had undeniable chemistry, and they made the love story come alive in a way that helped me forget the script’s shortcomings. While the physical intimacy was fairly tame, their emotional connection was believable and enjoyable to watch. It certainly didn’t hurt that both leads are incredibly attractive—and yes, Pon got plenty of chances to show off his physique!
As for the ending, I have mixed feelings. It was satisfying, but it carried a bittersweet note for me that lingers after the final scene. I don't want to provide spoilers so let's just say for me, it wasn’t the kind of fairy-tale wrap-up that I wanted, but it was poignant and fitting for the tone the show ultimately settled into.
In short, this drama had its flaws, but it was still an enjoyable watch—especially for fans of romance and time-travel stories. If you can look past the uneven storytelling, you might find it worth your time.
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