Crlon7

Ooh, I haven't watched that, but I definitely will.

Same here, I also ffwd. It had lots of potential due to a refreshing take on the matriarchal family and started off well but got boring after episode 5 because all viewers got was the jealous sisters and suitors scheming against each other. It only picked up steam after episode 20. Despite sources reporting that the FL took acting classes to improve her acting, it didn't come across in her performance. She was still stiff and often had a blank look in her eyes that did not convey emotion. I didn't feel that she had any chemistry with HMH, the ML.

Parallel World a sci-fi adventure also starring Bai Yu. In that one, the FL is cold and strong. The chemistry between the leads is off the charts.

I want to say thank you to viewers who recommended this drama. Typically, youth dramas are not my usual choice, but this drama stood out for its high production quality. Its excellence was evident in every aspect—from the heartfelt storyline and cinematography to the remarkable acting. The narrative was deeply engaging while taking viewers on a roller coaster of emotions, be sure to keep tissues on hand for episode 8. The cinematography further enhanced the emotional depth of the story, capturing scenes with visual intensity and artistic finesse. After watching this drama, I have become a fan of Zhou Yi Ran. His talent as a young actor is truly impressive, as he delivered a performance that was raw, emotional, and stirring. Zhou Yi Ran was exceptionally believable in his role as a high school teenager, and equally convincing portraying a 30-year-old single father raising a young daughter. He deserves an acting award for this drama. Now, I have to go check out his other dramas.

One reason to watch this drama is for Caesar Wu who oozes hotness. I liked this short version better than the full version because it doesn't portray Man Man as deceptive and manipulative from the start and Wei Shao doesn't become a simp for his wife like in the full version. Of course it does have it's flaws and annoying heavy breathing sounds that are typical of vertical dramas.

I read some of the comments by people in the comments section saying there was no chemistry between RJL and PXR in this drama. I don't know if they were watching the same drama as I was because I thought they had wonderful chemistry.

You are right to some extent and I did revise the review to reflect that RJL prefers to act out tender kisses rather than full blown passionate ones out of respect for his wife.

I don't have a problem whether he performs kissing scenes or not because I appreciate him as an actor and as I wrote in my review: "Romance is not solely defined by physical displays." However, many people either gave this drama a low rating and criticized it for lacking romance and intimacy among other factors.

There are many credible reports that RJL used a substitute during kissing scenes in previous dramas and it wasn't really him. Some reports pointed out that his intimate scenes in some dramas were done through stand-ins. He chose not to personally shoot the kissing scene to be responsible for his wife. This move received the support and praise of many netizens. However, others felt that as an actor, filming kissing scenes was an unavoidable duty, so his decision might be seen as unprofessional. In short, no matter why he chose not to shoot the kissing scenes himself, we should pay attention to the wonderful work he delivered.

In the drama, Cang Cang’s first pregnancy is subtly portrayed through a scene where the couple embraces on the bed. The camera angle is deliberately distant, with sheer panels partially obscuring the view, and the scene fades out rather than showing explicit details. This approach aligns with the conventions of C-dramas, which typically favor understated representations of romance and intimacy, in contrast to Hollywood productions that often depict physical and overtly sexual displays of affection. The specifics of Cang Cang’s second pregnancy—how, when, and where—are not depicted in detail but implied. By the midpoint of the drama, the couple’s relationship has evolved into a reconciled and loving partnership. Their intimacy is hinted through scenes such as the one where they are shown sleeping side by side on the marital bed. This subtlety signals to viewers that their relationship includes normal husband and wife intimacy without the need for explicit scenes. Fans of RJL will recognize his established preference for avoiding roles centered around pure romance. Since his real life marriage, he has been known to steer clear of kissing scenes and overtly romantic content, which further explains the drama's restrained depiction of intimacy.

Totally agree. I think being a younger actress, maybe she didn't have as much acting experience. You rarely saw real tears in her crying scenes.

No, it's not.

To me, only Gu Yang Shan was truly anti-Japanese because in the early episodes he kept talking about how many Chinese soldiers were dying on the front lines and how important it was to crack the code to help stem the military losses and save lives. Ding Yi initially got involved by accident, then changed over time. Eventually he also joined the Communist Party with Bi Yun.

After finishing "The Rise of Phoenixes," I decided to watch this drama primarily because of Ni Ni. Having now seen her in two series, I can confidently say I am a devoted fan. Ni Ni’s exceptional talent and versatility allow her to take on a wide range of roles, and her beauty only adds to her captivating presence on screen. It is difficult to imagine anyone else embodying this character; the role feels as though it was written specifically for her.
This drama stands out as one of the most compelling C-dramas I have ever watched. I wonder why more series can’t be made to this standard. The production elevates the storytelling experience, making it memorable and engaging from start to finish.
Bai Yu, the male lead, was a pleasant new discovery for me. Although he may not fit the mold of traditional leading men in terms of looks, he more than compensates with his dynamic charisma. The chemistry between Ni Ni and Bai Yu is natural and utterly captivating. Their initial interactions are characterized by guarded suspicion and witty banter, making their developing relationship both entertaining and cleverly written. These moments never feel dull, and their dialogue keeps viewers engaged.
I particularly appreciate how, once their relationship begins in earnest, it is portrayed as solid and mature. This approach is a welcome change from the abundance of cute and overly silly romances that have dominated C-dramas in recent years. The mature depiction of their bond is a breath of fresh air and sets this drama apart.
While the entire cast delivers strong performances, the intense dynamic between the two main leads is so compelling that I found myself looking forward to every scene they shared. The dedication of both the cast and crew is evident, especially considering the difficult filming conditions they endured. Promotional interviews revealed that the actors had to wear heavy coats while filming in extremely hot desert temperatures, which must have been incredibly challenging.
This drama left a lasting impression, making it difficult to move on to another series. The combination of outstanding performances, mature storytelling, and the production team's hard work has created an unforgettable viewing experience.

For the past 2 years, I've abandoned Kdramas for Cdramas because they started to become stale and catered more to Netflix audiences. On a whim, I decided to give this one a try due to the hype and time travel theme which Kdramas have successfully done in the past with productions such as Rooftop Prince, Scarlett heart Ryo, (a Chinese remake, by the way) Mr. Queen, etc. After watching the series, I felt it was overhyped and didn't understand why it received such a high rating. The storyline was uninspiring and ridiculous in the last episode, the script was weak, dialogue was neither sharp nor intelligent and it showcased the food as much as the actors if not more. Throughout the story the FL kept saying "I know the future", yet she didn't know or warn the king when the palace coup was going take place? The King didn't have imperial guards or the ability to comnand the military to suppress the rebellion? In the last episode, he had to rely on a band of ragtag characters with kitchen utensils to save him? We're supposed to believe they were able to defeat trained guards with real weapons? And lastly, out of all the Joseon kings that they could've create a fictional story around, they chose the one with the worst sadistic reputation? As for the acting, the ML, as a rookie actor has potential to grow and Yoona's acting while solid is the same as it always was. In conclusion, I'll just head back over to Cdrama land where they know how to do historical dramas well.

In my opinion this ranks as one of the top Historical dramas of 2025. Chen Zheyuan can finally dispel critics' notion that he's not suitable for historical dramas. He showed tremendous acting growth in this drama. The entire production was top notch, from the direction, fast paced storyline, beautiful cinematography and OST, to the costumes and sets, everything was a visual feast to the eyes. As for Li Qin, her acting is indisputable. In a year where we had several dramas featuring female generals, she's the only one that truly captured the fierce aura of a female warrior. I didn't find the chemistry between CZY and Li Quin to be sizzling hot, instead it was organic and unforced like some other dramas. Even the supporting actors were great, especially Qin Tian Yu as the unhinged emperor. Watch him as the lead actor in Threads of Destiny.

A good short drama with solid acting from the cast but I have to give a big round of applause to Fan Zhixin who nailed it in this historical costume drama. For a young actor, he's shown a lot of growth through his roles. With the portrayal of this character, you can see all the various emotions in his eyes from tenderness, loneliness, anger, love, determination, ruthlessness. This is amongst one of his finest acting performances. His chemistry with the FL was so sweet and believable. I was surprised that the FL had previously acted in quite a few popular full length dramas that I hadn't seen and will definitely be looking out for her.

Short dramas get away with much more stuff than full length dramas do. That's why you'll see more steamy scenes in short dramas.

This is a gem and shows how good short dramas can be when done right. Personally, I think it deserves a higher rating. Lately I've seen how a lot of big budget, long dramas with well-known idol actors have been flops. I enjoyed this drama and am glad I was exposed to the main actors whom I didn't know before. People who like this drama should also check out Sinful Marriage, it also has a strong intelligent female lead, capable Male lead and sizzling chemistry after a period of enemies to lovers.

Sinful Marriage is awesome.

One of the better short historical dramas that I've watched. The plot is fast moving and never boring. The main characters are well matched intellectually as adversaries, followed by incredible romantic chemistry. It's my first exposure to both of the main leads and I'm already a fan of their work. I loved how the Fl character's was written.