This review may contain spoilers
A SIMPLE HISTORICAL ROM-COM WITH A MODERN TOUCH
Review of 2025 C-Drama Les Belles
A Beautiful Romance That Starts Strong but Loses Its Way
Les Belles (2025) is a historical romance drama that hooks you in with stunning visuals, a compelling love story, and plenty of tension between the leads. However, as the story progresses, what starts as a charming and intense romance slowly gets weighed down by unnecessary drama—particularly an obsessive second male lead and a war subplot that feels completely out of place.
The Story: From Fiery Encounters to Unexpected Love
The drama follows Luo Lingyu (Lin Yun), a noblewoman whose life is turned upside down when her once-powerful family falls from grace. With nowhere else to go, she travels with her younger sister to Jianye, hoping to seek refuge with distant relatives. However, fate has other plans when she has an unfortunate run-in with Lu Yun (Fang Yilun)—a seemingly cold and arrogant young master who, unbeknownst to her, is part of the very family she’s trying to turn to for help. Their first meeting? A heated argument that ends with her shoving him overboard.
What follows is a classic "enemies-to-lovers" romance filled with sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a slow-burning attraction. Lu Yun, initially skeptical of Luo Lingyu’s intentions, gradually finds himself drawn to her resilience and intelligence. Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu, despite her strong will, starts seeing past his arrogant exterior and into the man beneath. Their relationship builds steadily, making for a satisfying and engaging love story—at least for most of the drama.
Where It Falls Apart
While Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun’s love story is the highlight of the drama, Les Belles stumbles in a few areas. One of the biggest frustrations is the obsessive second male lead, who starts off as a likable character but gradually becomes overbearing. What initially seems like sweet admiration turns into a repetitive, exhausting subplot where he refuses to move on, dragging out unnecessary drama between the leads.
And just when it seems like the drama is reaching a natural and satisfying conclusion, it suddenly introduces a war subplot in the final episodes. This shift feels abrupt and disconnected, as if the writers felt the need to add high-stakes conflict but didn’t know how to integrate it smoothly into the story. Instead of focusing on the emotional payoffs that had been carefully built up, the drama diverts attention to war-related tensions that feel unnecessary and rushed.
What Works & What Doesn’t?
✔ Breathtaking Cinematography – The visuals are absolutely stunning, from the intricate costumes to the beautifully crafted set designs. Every scene looks like a painting.
✔ Strong Chemistry Between Leads – Lin Yun and Fang Yilun carry the romance with their performances, making their characters’ relationship feel natural and engaging.
✔ A Well-Built Love Story (At First) – The gradual development between Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun is satisfying, with a good balance of tension, affection, and emotional depth.
❌ The Obsessive Second Male Lead Becomes a Headache – His infatuation with Luo Lingyu starts off as harmless but drags on for far too long, making it frustrating to watch.
❌ The War Subplot Feels Unnecessary – Instead of wrapping up the romance properly, the last few episodes shift into an abrupt and out-of-place war storyline that disrupts the flow.
A Beautiful Romance That Starts Strong but Loses Its Way
Les Belles (2025) is a historical romance drama that hooks you in with stunning visuals, a compelling love story, and plenty of tension between the leads. However, as the story progresses, what starts as a charming and intense romance slowly gets weighed down by unnecessary drama—particularly an obsessive second male lead and a war subplot that feels completely out of place.
The Story: From Fiery Encounters to Unexpected Love
The drama follows Luo Lingyu (Lin Yun), a noblewoman whose life is turned upside down when her once-powerful family falls from grace. With nowhere else to go, she travels with her younger sister to Jianye, hoping to seek refuge with distant relatives. However, fate has other plans when she has an unfortunate run-in with Lu Yun (Fang Yilun)—a seemingly cold and arrogant young master who, unbeknownst to her, is part of the very family she’s trying to turn to for help. Their first meeting? A heated argument that ends with her shoving him overboard.
What follows is a classic "enemies-to-lovers" romance filled with sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a slow-burning attraction. Lu Yun, initially skeptical of Luo Lingyu’s intentions, gradually finds himself drawn to her resilience and intelligence. Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu, despite her strong will, starts seeing past his arrogant exterior and into the man beneath. Their relationship builds steadily, making for a satisfying and engaging love story—at least for most of the drama.
Where It Falls Apart
While Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun’s love story is the highlight of the drama, Les Belles stumbles in a few areas. One of the biggest frustrations is the obsessive second male lead, who starts off as a likable character but gradually becomes overbearing. What initially seems like sweet admiration turns into a repetitive, exhausting subplot where he refuses to move on, dragging out unnecessary drama between the leads.
And just when it seems like the drama is reaching a natural and satisfying conclusion, it suddenly introduces a war subplot in the final episodes. This shift feels abrupt and disconnected, as if the writers felt the need to add high-stakes conflict but didn’t know how to integrate it smoothly into the story. Instead of focusing on the emotional payoffs that had been carefully built up, the drama diverts attention to war-related tensions that feel unnecessary and rushed.
What Works & What Doesn’t?
✔ Breathtaking Cinematography – The visuals are absolutely stunning, from the intricate costumes to the beautifully crafted set designs. Every scene looks like a painting.
✔ Strong Chemistry Between Leads – Lin Yun and Fang Yilun carry the romance with their performances, making their characters’ relationship feel natural and engaging.
✔ A Well-Built Love Story (At First) – The gradual development between Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun is satisfying, with a good balance of tension, affection, and emotional depth.
❌ The Obsessive Second Male Lead Becomes a Headache – His infatuation with Luo Lingyu starts off as harmless but drags on for far too long, making it frustrating to watch.
❌ The War Subplot Feels Unnecessary – Instead of wrapping up the romance properly, the last few episodes shift into an abrupt and out-of-place war storyline that disrupts the flow.
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