Ren Jie and Dragons
This is another good Dee Renjie film. Overall, production was great. Live the exquisite wardrobe selections and sets.I guess if this was made into a series, the few plotholes wouldn't be there.
Theres no explanation for the child and the female on the bridge who was flirting with Renjie. What does the hallucinations with them have to do with the story?
Did Sima die? The other female fighter, who is she and why did she switch side the last minute?
I love any Di Renjie film and series. Although this is a much newer version with beautiful female casts and awesome props, the multiple plotholes made me think of the older series and films that has better story flow.
Still recommended for viewing, rewatch value is always high for me on any Dee Renjie films.
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Zombified Dee
Title in Iqiyi Detective Dee: The Sly Red-EyeStarted gory but good CGI. Story starts with prior year military assignment in a cave discovering the first zombies.
Excellent production: location, wardrobe, props, etc. I love the hundreds of palace military soldiers lined up outside the palace shot.
Of course, it won't be the classic Dee Ren Jie if the queen is nice and sweet.
Story involves the living dead - zombies.
I am partial to any Dee Renjie movies and series and as many Dee Renjie work out, I still rewatch some of them.
I am glad that there's still interest in producing Dee Renjie series and films. I hope many more will be done. It is like the James Bond movies and series: the actor who plays the lead role may change but it doesnt stop being interesting enough to attract viewers.
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2nd watch a year later made it better for me
Watched this over a year ago and receny completed watching it again. It may have been my liberal use of the fast forward button before that made me understand and enjoy this series this time around.I was so confused the first time i watched this causing depletion of my interest that itched for that fast forward button. I can now say the reason is the switched of the leading character wasnt done smoothly. The transition could have been done better.
Zhao Lusi did improve in her transition acting since this series. She is awesome in fun, comedic and quirky roles but in this series, I believe she was still on the learning phase for transitioning role from comedy to serious character role. Her acting nowadays is way, way better than from this series. She excels in smoothly transitioning roles.
Production wise, it is obvious the set, wardrobe and props were invested on heavily. I wish they took parts of it to invest more on editing.
The story plot is challenging and truly could have been a great one.
Rewatch value, like I mentioned here, I am doing this review after rewatching it over a year later. I honestly like this series more now than the first time I watched it. So my recommendation is reserving judgment after watching it the second time. Giving it a bit of time can make a difference based on my own experience.
All casts in this series were awesome and seemed to have portrayed their role well. It is interesting that I even noticed the acting of couple of extras who didnt have a line - just a facial expression.
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Another Mystery of Song Ci
NOTE: After much confusion I discovered the title in iQIYI and the title here in MDL is different. This movie has a different title in iQIYI - Work Vain Song Ci. My feedback and rating is for (titled here in MDL )as Forensic Scientist Song Ci: The Fraud
I enjoy Dee Renji and Song Ci movies and surprised that there's no review for this movie yet.
Plot is around Song Ci - SC assisting the emperor get back his throne after being plotted against by his trusted Shaman.
The production is not a huge budgeted film. It is simple yet perfectly done for each scenes. The location shoot was minimized but it didn't affect the way the story was relayed on the screen. Wardrobe was perfect for each scenes and each character that you won't feel slighted as a viewer. Even though it wasn't elaborate, the focus was majnly on the story.
I like that the simplicity of this movie still provided a satisfying watch.
The artists who played each character were professionals. They portrayed their character well enough even tho there are couple who probably could have rendered their lines and facial expressions better. This didn't impact the overall outcome of the movie anyways for me.
I am recommending this movie for anyone interested in period, costume and mystery movie.
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Typical but done very well
The story here is the typical two main male characters who does not get along due to past incident happened to end up working together to solve crimes.As crimes are solve, it also allowed for each other to settle and clarify their anger and frustrations with each other.
I wasnt invested jn this series at the start but as tje story got more mysterious and intriguing, I ended up binge watching it.
The role portrayal is good, wardrobe was in queue, location fits, direction and flow of story is good.
If you are not a fan of detective story this might not be for you but i suggest to give it a try til episode 3.
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Hidden Light Drama
I didnt hear nor read anything about this series and just happen to ckme across it in iQIYI.First off, it has a cute & charming casts. The story plot is charmjng, stable and consistent. Its short 8 episodes that can be a weekend night binge. The cast were good in portraying their roles and if there is anything that viewers might notice, it'll be extras on the background here and there looking awkward. Wardrobe was also slightly off. Aside from those, its a relaxing series to watch.
Keep in mind that they concised the story so a lot of background stories were left out like how they ended up living together-this was pretty much explained in one sentence. First lead's family background is totally missing. Friend who is part of their band owns a bar but story added scenes of having to have a place for band practice which left me questioning it. 🤔 overall it is a good one to watch.
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Typical & Nice Costume Drama
I enjoy Neo's work as an actor (especially in Hutong with Zhao Lusi) and there was a good hype for this series that I gave it a try even paying for a month subscription for it just to satisfy my curiosity.This is a fantasy, costume series. As a typical costume series, it started from the very beginning with a poor, starving soul then came across the hero with unsettled heart that then healed by the poor soul.
Costume is magnificent in this series for everyone even the extras. Production is awesome. Beautifully crafted and done with obvious dedication showing in every small details.
The entire cast work harmoniously together but I will avoid saying that there's this magical chemistry. I am unable to see that even from the lead characters. The actor who was casted as the Dark Phantom didnt work for me either. Its lacking the face and look of the most powerful evil being.
The story evolved but mainly focused on the dragon's affairs affecting the lead female's life. Many side stories before it got to the highlight of the story.
I enjoyed it while watching but it wasnt one of those where I anticipated for the next episode or excited to see how it will turn out. It was đź‘Ť đź‘Ś
Worth watching, though as someone who paid subscription for this, I would suggest not to do that and find it to watch for free. Theses another series i paid for a subscription in another platform and that one I am very thankful I did because it is so worth the payment.
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Don't expect the title to be explained
So much hype on this during promotion that I added on my watch list.The start isn't going to hook you to watch, tho I continued giving it the chance. Few episodes later, i wanted to drop because it dragged and became chaotic. The writer seemed to have used the license to do whatever whenever to the male lead character.
I did say it dragged .... this serirs could have been done in 8 episodes if directed well enough. So many senseless scenes that didnt make sense as to why it was even added. So many scenes came kn without any explanation as to what it is about.
Overall, I felt I wasted my time on this series. FEMALE LEAD character looking just regular and not beautiful anymore was mentioned so many times that it reflected Korea's culture of valuing physical appearances more than humanity.
Last, this series ended without clear explanation of the abyss. It said what it does but why how when were not answered. I wonder why even title it Abyss when the series was a mystery/murder/romance plot.
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Simple, Light and Beautiful
If you are wanting to take a break from quirky, heavy, sensual BL drama series and want a nice relaxing one to refresh, this is the best series to watch.The music is also good and refreshing.
I like the simplicity of the story and yet, it was done beautifully. It light, funny, and deals with real family issue.
Love it. Well written and directed BL series.
It is almost towards the end before the romance blooms in this series but its worth the wait. The relationship transitioned well. It is directed nicely.
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Don't Miss Watching this Series!
This started slow for me but right after episode 3, I cant stop watching and binged all the way to season 2. I personally think season 1 is better but dont get me wrong, they both kept me glued on the screen and anticipating.It is an excellent drama tbat is welk directed. The story smokthly flowed and every character played a vital role, connected to the story.
I would have missed this show if not for Netflix. I am not sure it is available in other pkatform but if you have the chance, don't skip watchibg this show and stick past the first two episodes.
The way season 2 ended, I am strongly hoping they will have a season 3.
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Could have been really good if directed better
I like Ruipeng Ao in Blood of Youth since he did a good role portrayal in that series. I watched this because of him. Its weird that if you search for Ruipeng Ao, this series isnt even listed under his list of drama.I can't say for sure whats not clocking here but my points are mainly for the effort, costumes, and plot.
Based on my perspective, its not directed well. The scene transition is not smooth. Theres scenes that wod come up out of nowhere thats not related and i wondered what was it and why that was shown. The editing could have been better.
I started wondering at first if this is a semi BL the way it started.
The chemistry is not there. The Female Lead (FL)' portrayal of her role is a bit irritating. The beauty of the male leads didn't seem to jive with hers.
The acting for most artists are good except for few that to me overdid it with their facial expression.
The good part is the story. Its good enough to watch but i did fast forward a lot.
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Short, deep & impressive
I am surprised that this series is underrated here but each of us have our own free thoughts and I’ll share mine.It is a short series that could have been well developed into a 12 series. Saying this, it contributed to the somewhat vague discussions, confusing start, and the feeling of needing more. It felt like “it’s so good why rushed the storytelling” kind of feeling.
The actors seriously did excellently with the portrayal of their roles, evoking emotions and towards the end, I had to reach out for the box of tissue. Ending was good but lacked clarity as to how it got there, but still acceptable.
Romance is just a fraction of the story, it also talks about the hardship of being blackballed in the industry when you decide to voice your unpopular opinion even if it is right. It also showed how good intentions may not always work as a right answer. This is a mixture of human thinking, feelings and society’s impact on life.
It is confusing in the beginning, the way editing was done but it’s not bad enough to drop it. There’s recap that I find unnecessary and could have just been replaced by story explaining things that led to situations.
The BGM is good and perfect for the series.
The entire production is good, artists all did excellently, and editing is the only thing that could have improved.
Overall, it is a good short series to invest time. I hope you give it a chance and see for yourself.
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UNCONVENTIONAL ROMANCE ?
Eien No KinouThis is an unconventional romance series based on a novel. You can tell cinematography is simple but grasped the mellow mood of a tragic romance between two young students.
I find this to be soft, quirky, emotional, and at times, low-key comical series.
The BGM blended wonderfully with the mood of the scenes without causing any distraction
support cast did their job of moving the story forward, and unlike many romantic shows where a side character upstages the protagonists, in this series they are all interconnected and contributed to the story. The series could’ve had an extra episode or two, because the climax leaves you feeling a little empty, like we deserved some more.
If you are a crier, grab some tissues and be prepared for a heart-breaking wistful ending.
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Admirable acting from the artists, and exemplary production work is visible.
This film gives out a surreal sense of deranged domestic privilege with added mystery and subtle chaos.
The graphic sex scenes radiate an uncommon heat that is not typical for Korean film work.
The ending scene is similar to David Lynchland, won’t leave you breathless, tho it delivers a consistently odd angle.
This series may not be deserving of a 10 rating but definitely not deserving of anything less than a 5 in my opinion.
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Quite an Odyssey worth watching
I won’t waste time sharing the plot since it is already stated in the info about this series.love every aspect of this series. Wardrobe, whole production, the OST, actors, Director, story and visual effects.
Story pretty much is divided into two parts: lead male & lead female as slave & master and the second half, they got switched around. The story leading to it is not boring so don’t fret.
What I was disappointed about was the lead female crying scene-not convincing at all and I’m not being mean.
The twist of the story got a bit messed up that by episode 46 I started fast forwarding a lot. Story leading to the ending was frustratingly out there that it got overwhelming that made it feel it doesn’t fit the story anymore.
Ending could have been better I think.
Overall, it is truly worth watching if you are into light fantasy themed story.
PS: Janice Wu (Lead Female here) and Zhang Yu Jian (The second lead male) were married in 2020 and divorced in 2022.
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