Bookgirl529

Awesome review. I dropped it at episode 32 for all the reasons you so eloquently listed. Finishing it felt like a homework assignment.

Thank you for your refreshingly honest review. I dropped this at episode 32. The beginning was excellent but after episode 17 I became frustrated and finishing it started to feel like a homework assignment. Whether the problem lies with the script or the editing, I’m not sure. This reminds me of a beginner writer who can write one linear story well but doesn’t have the experience to weave multiple storylines and past and present. The balance was off as well, with all plot lines being sacrificed for the romance between the leads. The romance was awkward and overdone with skinship substituted for time spent developing intimacy. Still, considering the multitude of 10 ratings, I guess they knew their target audience.

Unbelievable. I’m starting Kuning Palace instead.

I agree with both of your reviews. I put this on hold at episode 32, but that’s being polite because I doubt if I will ever go back to it. After the village arc, watching felt too much like homework for all the points you mentioned.

I’m on episode 32 and fast forwarding a lot of the FL’s scenes because I’m annoyed. Changyu is not my idea of a strong female lead. She’s reckless and the men around her keep rescuing her from the consequences of her stupid actions. At this point the story feels like it’s been written by more than one person, or there were too many hands on the project , or they couldn’t agree on what type of story they wanted to tell and how to edit it.

Spot on! Thank you for your honest review. As I told another reviewer, I was beginning to think that I’m watching a different drama than everyone else. The early episodes had all the elements to keep me engaged-a plucky heroine, a damaged mystery man, and whiffs of an old conspiracy that spreads its tentacles into the present. But the military arc was an unbelievable mess and I was so frustrated that I almost dropped it at episode 27. Now I’m struggling to finish it. My respect goes to Deng Kai who took a one dimensional villain on the page and gave him life-irresistible. Props also to Lin Mu Ran (hard to believe he’s only 20.) The psychotic Sui brothers add spice to what has become a very predictable story line. I will finish this, but without much enthusiasm.

Thank you!

This director was one of two directors listed for Blossom. Not sure about the producer for PoJ.

I haven’t read the novel, but I have watched many of this director’s works all the way back to The Killer is also Romantic. PoJ does not feel like it has the steady hand that Blossom and some of the earlier short dramas did. I can’t blame everything on the writing because I think there were some poor editorial choices too. It sounds like you aren’t writing many reviews right now, but I will refer to your older ones when I’m looking for something to watch. Best wishes to you.

Excellent analysis. I agree completely. I remember in Secret of the Three Kingdoms how the romance between the leads became so much more poignant and mature because politics and country took precedence over personal feelings.

I’m so glad I found your review and all the comments below because I was starting to feel like I’m watching a different drama than everyone else. At episode 27 I started to feel the story had gone off the rails. The village arc was strong, I was engaged, but the military arc and its pacing were all over the place. The ML’s hidden identity that was so intriguing in the beginning became a source of frustration for me. To summarize: We’re married, no we’re not. You’re leaving, goodbye. No wait, now I’m desperate to find you so I’m sneaking into the army. What, you’re the Marquis?! I can’t be with you, but 5 minutes later I’ll change my mind. I started to fast forward which is never a good sign. Now I’m beginning the final arc, but from what I’ve read, I don’t have high hopes. The writing has become weak, full of missed opportunities to tell an impactful story.
Thank you for your analysis. I wish you well.

The sisterhood and the heist arc (which comes later) set this drama apart for me. The SFL was very good-I too have liked her since Attorney Woo. Clearly, the men are along for the ride in this story, and that was a nice change.

Hello, I always enjoy your reviews whether I agree or not, because you put a lot of thought into analyzing plot, character development, direction etc. In the early episodes of Miss Hong, I too worried that the ML would show up cloaked in plot armor and reclaim the woman he wronged in the past. It didn’t happen. She didn’t forgive him and eventually got him kicked out of the company. The lack of romantic development between them was most satisfying to me. I do think the ML is one of the weak points of the drama though, and I’m not sure if it’s the writing, direction or the acting. He just seemed very wooden to me and I couldn’t understand what she ever saw in him. I did enjoy this drama, but I wasn’t looking for something complex or super suspenseful. It sounds like there are enough things that annoyed you about it, so I won’t suggest you watch it.
Thanks for your review.

Congratulations to Way Back Love for making Time Magazine’s list of top 10 Kdramas of 2025. Their position at #2 is well deserved.

“The audacity to let silence do the flirting. Audacity to assume that the audience will notice…”
I was so happy to read your review! Finally someone recognizes the powerful subtleties in this movie. Some reviewers wanted more romance or a confession. But for me, words could never convey what their bodies did in their dancing. I never expected “romance” from these two men. Power, passion, and the shifting domination and submission that played out in the dance mesmerized me. Thank you for your review, you covered so many things that make this movie special. It stays with the viewer long after the final dance.

Thank you, thank you for your editorial! Sometimes the side couple’s storyline is more interesting than the main couple. One of my favorites is still Cha Ju Ik and Na Ji Na from Doom at Your Service. I kept tuning in just for them.
I’m glad you didn’t just stick to Kdramas, there was a nice variety in your editorial. Good work!

Qingchuan’s Veil of Vengeance

Qingchuan’s Veil of Vengeance. Strong FL, supportive ML

Excellent review, thank you! It was a challenge to find episodes with good subs and good video quality, but I just finished it and loved it for all the reasons you mentioned in your review. Lin Ze Hui (Jiang Yi) stole the show and my heart with his performance and should have been listed as a main role. My only complaint would be the bgm which was too loud and overly dramatic at times.

Binged it. Loved it. Many thanks to the MDL’rs who left breadcrumbs in the comments below so I could find places to watch this with good video and subs. Definitely one of the better recent short dramas. The second ml stole my heart and should be listed as a main role.