Beautiful and Compelling Storyline (10/10)
I watched The Prisoner of Beauty about three weeks ago, and not reviewing it feels like a disservice. This is, hands down, one of the most beautiful C-dramas I’ve ever seen. And if you know me, you’ll know I have zero patience for time-wasting dramas.The Chinese drama world is saturated — so many shows, yet so few gems. Often, you’re met with brainless female leads, robot-like male leads, or storylines so frustrating you feel like you’re punishing yourself just to get through them.
So when I saw a 9.0 rating last month for The Prisoner of Beauty, I did a double take. Who rated a new C-drama this high? I had to find out.
Let me give you some context: my favorite C-dramas include The Story of Minglan, Meet Yourself, Empresses in the Palace, and Yanxi Palace. That should tell you how high my threshold is — not just for good acting, but for tight plots, layered character arcs, and meaningful dialogue.
Maybe it’s the screenwriter in me . I’ve written several screenplays in my country, so I watch dramas with a critical eye. I don’t just watch for pretty faces. I watch for craft. And most times, I avoid watching entirely because I don’t want bad writing to subconsciously influence my own.
But I digress. Back to this masterpiece.
The Prisoner of Beauty was exquisitely written from beginning to end. The cast was exceptional. The emotional beats were authentic. The scenarios were so believable, it was hard not to binge the entire series in one go.
My only complaint, and it’s a small one — is that one-year stretch where the ML and FL lived as “man and wife” in name only. I mean… they shared a room, had undeniable chemistry, and yet we didn’t even get a whiff of tension? No smoldering glances? No charged silences? It didn’t need to be steamy, just a little more emotionally charged intimacy would have taken things to another level.
Aside from that? It hit my 10/10 mark.
It’s smart, heartfelt, and beautifully executed. Please do yourself a favour and watch it. Then come back and thank me.
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It's a feel good series
I hardly ever write reviews, but I had to make an exception for this one.I watched It’s Beautiful Now after a long hiatus from the K-drama scene. Honestly, K-dramas had become a bit too predictable for me, but because I’m a sucker for family dramas, I decided to give this one a shot.
How did it go? Well, it started great. Engaging, warm, and full of that nostalgic family charm. But somewhere around the middle, things got draggy and repetitive, and I found myself pushing through rather than enjoying it.
Let’s talk about Mi Rae. I don’t think she was the best fit for this role. Her performance lacked the emotional depth that a mature relationship arc needed. She numbed the chemistry with Hyun Jae, and sadly, what should’ve been a swoon-worthy romance ended up feeling... frustrating. Some of the blame also goes to the writing. Mi Rae started off as this sweet, relatable character, but once the relationship kicked off, she became elusive, insecure, and emotionally immature — not what you’d expect from someone who supposedly helps couples in their 30s navigate life. That inconsistency made it hard to root for her.
Hyun Jae, on the other hand, is a good actor. But his scenes with Mi Rae became so tiring that I began fast-forwarding through them. He was honestly more compelling when he was emotionally distant. The moment he fell in love, it felt like he lost the edge that made him interesting.
Now, let’s talk about the real stars — Hae Jun and Yoon Jae. Their chemistry? Effortless. Natural. Everything about their storyline worked, and to me, they stole the show. Funny enough, even though they’re in their 40s, I looked forward to every scene they shared. That’s how it's done!
As for Soo Jae and Yu Na... let’s not go there. Something was off, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, their chemistry didn’t work for me at all. I skipped their scenes without guilt. I found the elders’ storyline more emotionally engaging than theirs.
The show could have been much tighter. 50 episodes was a stretch. A clean 30 would have been perfect. It lost momentum midway and never quite regained it. The writing just didn’t sustain the magic it started with.
That said, there were still things I loved. Mi Rae’s mum? A beauty to behold. Her scenes with her father in the later episodes were warm and tender. I appreciated that she chose to retain the name of her adoptive parents and cared for her mum till the end — that was a lovely touch. Her father’s devotion to his wife also warmed my heart. And Mi Rae’s grandmother, who annoyed me at first, eventually grew on me. She wasn’t overbearing — just real. And honestly, isn’t that what family is?
The bond between the families is what gives this drama its glow. That warmth, that closeness — it's the glue that holds the series together.
But I have to ask:
Do Koreans always lose their kids in family dramas? 😅
90% of these shows revolve around a long-lost child, a parent searching, or a surprise sibling. It’s getting a little predictable, and I believe writers can and should explore deeper, more diverse family themes.
Still, It’s Beautiful Now ends well. It’s enjoyable, especially if you’re into big ensemble family dramas. But for me? Nothing beats My Father Is Strange and Five Enough. Those are still the gold standard.
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Absolutely worth your time!
To say I loved this drama would be an understatement. As Beautiful As You is a truly beautiful piece of work.Yes, it starts a little slow, but given the nature of the plot, I understood. It’s a thoughtful, layered story that beautifully blends romance with business realism. And that’s what sets it apart. Unlike the usual pipe dream where a company goes from idea to instant success, this drama peels back the curtain and shows the gritty reality behind business decisions, startup struggles, and the personal sacrifices that come with it.
I have to say this. Seven Tan is fast becoming my favourite C-drama actress. She plays her roles with such authenticity and emotional precision. And of course, I’ve always loved Xu Kai , from Arsenal Military Academy to Yanxi Palace. While I initially struggled to buy into him as a modern-day CEO (he came off stiff at first), I’m glad to say he grew into the role beautifully. His transformation was subtle and satisfying.
Now, let’s talk about the side characters, oh, how I loved them! Every single one felt real, purposeful, and expertly portrayed. They weren’t just filler; they carried emotional weight and added richness to the narrative.
Honestly, I didn’t expect much when I started this show, especially considering the recent hit-or-miss wave of Chinese dramas. But this one? It surprised me. In the best way. It’s a solid drama, and the best I’ve seen this year.
If you’re someone who struggles to find a truly satisfying Cdrama — the kind that hits like Meet Yourself, The Story of Minglan, The Sword and the Brocade, Nothing But Thirty, or The First Half of My Life — then trust me: this is a must-watch.
It’s a 10 from me. And if you're unsure whether to give it a try, just do. It’ll grow on you, and you won’t regret it.
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There's no chemistry and it has quite a depressive tone
I went into this with high expectations but I was flat out disappointed. I mean, the story had its high points but it doesn't work properly. The story doesn't move from one end to the other. The characters and their stories seem disjointed. The other outstanding nurse felt like she was a major point of the drama but was neglected for most scenes. We couldn't see what she was thinking but only perceived it. That's not all, the rich patient plot came from nowhere to cause issues for the ML and FL. I am a screenwriter and from my POV, this had the potential to be a good story but it was a mess. There was no OST and nothing that gave the story life. It is a good watch for anyone that's patient but it's not worth the 8.4 rating. This is my first ever Jdrama and I think I'd stick with my Cdramas and Kdramas.Was this review helpful to you?
BEST CDRAMA OF 2024
Trust me when I say this: I’ve dropped a lot of C-dramas this year. And I almost dropped this one, too. But something made me hold on, dig deeper… and I’m so glad I did. What unfolded was one of the most amazing storylines I’ve seen in a while.Let’s start with the obvious: Wang Churan. Her beauty left me speechless, not just outwardly, but in the depth and grace she brought to the character. And the male lead? I had no idea he was Erqiang in The Bond until much later, but wow, what a performance. I wasn’t disappointed for a second.
This series gave me warm fuzzies in my belly. Yes, that kind of love. I’m not easily impressed. But this? This was beautifully plotted and expertly executed. It checked all the boxes —strong leads, believable character arcs, stunning visuals, and an emotional payoff that made every episode worth it.
The landscape, oh, the landscape! Chinese historical dramas are visual poetry, and this one made me promise myself to visit China one day. And by God's grace, I will, very soon.
I almost forgot to leave this review because I watched it weeks ago, but the memory just came flooding back and I couldn’t stay silent. Even the side characters shone in their roles, and that final episode? Perfectly done.
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