Dramaaddictneedshelp

"but I have to drop half a star for the episodes where the FL is dressed like a Victorian child and the clown cardigan"

🤣I'm not a fan of some childish styling I see for adult women in some of these dramas, either.

I Googled her and you have a good eye for comparisons!

Unsurprised and those are the key tips listed above!

MTE!

She reminds me of Sun Yi in this current profile pic.

A 7/10 isn't a low rating, though. That's a 'good' drama, according to the average rating.
Low is under 5.

That pic chosen ... is not flattering.

MTE! Tonally completely different, too serious (unlike the comedy in the original), then the chemistry not being there is a death knell ... I've finished dramas that have lacklustre writing because the chemistry was 🔥, like the Circle of Love and the recent Forever Love (2023).

The issue seems to be the actress not the actor, cause he can have a lot of chemistry with the actresses he's partnered with, like with Sun Yi (who was in a relationship at the time IIRC).

I'll go back to watching Miss Mystery and call this a day and I completely understand if you choose to stop watching as well.

Agreed! They never should've set it in the Republican era with spies like this!🤦‍♀️The film its based on was set it in the present, so whose decision was that to make it historical?!
My expectations with it being an official remake of Mr and Mrs Smith were moderate, but I was let down after the first episode and I'm seeing that it's not even a slow burn? The whole appeal of that 2005 film IS the chemistry! I have issues with other things but at least the chemistry was there. I'm cutting my loses and will quit at ep 8. What a waste.

I'd never expect it to be, as the original film wasn't carried by the 'spy craft' either, but chemistry, comedy and OTT action.
That said, this only has a tenuous and nominal link to that film ...

Nothing like the 2005 film, thus far. More serious (given the time period) and tense.

This is intriguing but I'm not seeing how they've transposed the Liman film to China.

The tone is more serious a la Age of Shadows and Lust, Caution (sans that one's explicit scenes) than the action comedy of the original Mr and Mrs Smith, tbh.

Exactly. You articulated my very thoughts.
Never seen My Journey to You.

This one has gone further than the rest (that I've seen), I was stunned.

I agree. An actress like Hu Yi Yao would've matched this actor's sex appeal but I suppose that was a choice that he would be the focus of that UST, not as much her. Wonder if a woman and/or man directed it?
The editing for their fight scenes could've be better done, definitely see what you mean.

IKR?! I noticed BOTH of them became unlikeable over the course of the drama, not just him.

Oh, I know you didn't like Maid's Revenge.

I need to re-watch this with better subs than AI ones to truly decide and give it a chance.

Sometimes acting in C-dramas can be very ... melodramatic. Like soap opera acting.

I KNEW it was that scene! Hate choking scenes as well - too abusive, especially considering how bad domestic violence can be.

I've personally never considered that 'very good'. Addictive sure, but good? No, cause the writing isn't solid enough. There's probably better written fanfic out there.
If chemistry is enough then I see how someone could enjoy it but I like a better told story too.
I generally think many dramas are rated too highly on here, tbh.

Exactly! The milk for this cow (in terms of story) has ran dry. And since the chemistry isn't there to distract from it, it becomes even more glaring just how pedestrian this has become.
The ML can be very inert at times, like he's on autopilot - a quite uneven actor.
The kissing looks contrived as a result. The best kissing comes from a great match up between actor in terms of ability, but it doesn't work here.