GloCar

What these females do is not “abusive”. You are failing to see the situations these reticent heroines find themselves in with regards to the MLs. Context is important. In Secret Garden the ML asks the FL to be his lover until he gets married to a heiress, after which the FL must “disappear like froth”, like the little mermaid. In Heirs the ML’s family gives the FL an ultimatum and forces her to disappear from the ML’s life. The ML knows this too. True that in both stories the FLs need to grow and realise that sometimes you need to fight for love. But the MLs need to grow too and start using their power responsibly and become good adults in order to obtain the love of good women.

I must check them out. I tried Nirvana in Fire and Peach Blossoms but I just could not get into them. They are a bit heavy in world building and content and I just could not connect with them emotionally. Is there a particular way of approaching dramas like that? They are so very popular and well regarded… I just feel I’m missing out…

It all depends on what you enjoy. If you like comedy, good acting, good dialogue and a bit of social critique, this is one not to be missed. If you mainly enjoy love scenes, muscly male leads and bear chests (which BTW I also enjoy very much) you can skip it. The chemistry is off the charts here, but it’s subtle and kind of mature, suggested rather than overt… it’s hard to explain, but the chemistry is felt through both actors' great physical acting.

Not important

I liked Find Yourself, although now that I think about it, kdrama deals more with generational issues than cdrama, which are usually less critical of the status quo… modern cdramas that I liked in general and for several reasons are: love is sweet (heartwarming and great acting), heart to heart (best angst, great acting too), See You Again (I just loved the 2ML here: so charismatic! Very good time travelling drama.) Another time travelling drama that I loved is One Day Someday. This one is Taiwanese but a truly mind blowing. Well written stuff. One of the cutest enemies to lovers are Life is Beautiful and of course Meteor Garden … ah and let’s not forget Lighter and Princess, which is probably one of the best dramas I have seen.
I do like Modern Chinese drama. It has its problems. Sometimes the overly patriarchal attitudes are left uncritisised and you have to turn a blind eye to blatant chauvinism, like in Love in Times of War. This last drama is quite gorgeous and very melodramatic, but the ML is a total snack! I do recommend too! 😁

Very well-written show. The glaring plothole has turned out to be the mystery of the story, I mean, there were subtle hints all along, like that scene of Blade Runner in the retro cinema in which Roy Batty gives that iconic monologue and then releases the dove... They have been teasing this out slowly but in a very interesting way. I'm impressed.
The "transparent" technology of phones and computer screens gives the show an interesting futuristic feel that is completely consistent with the story. Great subtle touch.
I'm not a fan of the ML's acting. It's a bit too green and cheesy, but he's good-looking and has a good screen-kissing skill, which is always welcome. The love story is also working really well.
I'm very impressed by this and I wasn't expecting it. Funny that the most famous cdramas are always fantasies but, for me, the best cdramas are usually set in modern times with overbearing controlling parents who cause so much drama... Stories about generational conflict, brought to the very extreme as is the case here, are always the best.

It is not unusual for cdramas to glamorise intelligent yet ruthless MLs who “always know better”. These men behave like assholes but they are competent in a society where winning and pursuing a business dream is everything. It’s a patriarchal archetype that works well in romances about underdogs “becoming someone”.

So I understand where you’re coming from. This tsundere MLs are less fashionable in kdramas nowadays, but China seems to still hold men with hardcore business drive in very high regard it seems…

In spite of all that, I loved Lighter and Princess. The ML confronted his evils in the end and that is what I stayed for. The romance was compelling and grounded, and hit the right notes in how it unfolded. Once you accept that the drama is about learning to succeed and that this drive is moving the story forward, you will enjoy it so much better.

Too many viewers misinterpret this drama completely. Some miss the humour inbuilt in the ML and unironically say they are “put off” by his rude remarks… as if they they were supposed to like them… (like, really?) Others are unable to cope with subtlety of dialogue or listen to what the characters are saying, or read between the lines. Others do not understand satire point blank. Others bark on about the ML invading the FL personal space not giving a single thought to how this is contextualised in the story. People constantly apply the most myopic and intolerant 2020s critical analysisj to talk about a show made in the 2010s… I mean, you can be dazzle by shiny new dramas, but, please, have the good sense to honour and value those dramas that came before and paved the way to those to those more modern dramas you enjoy.

Rant over!

If you’re looking for steamy scenes, brooding looks and pec showers you’ll be disappointed here. The romance is both cute and mature, a lot of playfulness, insinuating dialogue and leaving to the imagination. It may not be for you.

Well… I’m here for it! 🥰

Ugh I can’t handle that Mr Ji is a baddy… He’s such a cutie 🥹

Not all shows require that level of “realism”. In comedy, actors often don’t play their age. It’s pretty common and acceptable within the genre worldwide.

Who has made you the judge to decide who looks this age or that age? You either suspend disbelief or you don’t. The FL is not the actress… I am enjoying the part being played by this wonderful actress and her age and the FL’s age is the last thing in my mind. It’s annoying how some people have this little “brain calculator” that constantly measures women by their age, weight and looks. So boring.

There is no weird timeline. It’s just an older actress playing a younger part… not that unusual. As for the FL’s bangs, I have no words… They are just bangs, people wear them, some like them, some don’t…it is a drama stylist’s choice that seems appropriate. These ARE NOT difficult concepts for one to wrap their heads around.

She’s just playing a younger part. Nobody is making the part younger…

Err… what does an actor’s age have to do with the writing? 🤔

Let’s not make excuses for people who are painfully superficial… The FL’s clothes are appropriate , her looks are appropriate , her age is appropriate. The actress playing the part is wonderful. That’s all that matters.

It’s in Rakuten Viki

This series would have been worth my time with a less ambiguous ending… The story seemed to have something to say and I wish it had been louder and clearer about it. The symbology and themes were not consistent enough to earn such a subtle conclusion . It was vague on purpose so that everyone saw what they wanted to see. I felt cheated.

Somewhat progressive and satisfying. The female rage was a bit cartoony but it added to the charm of the whole premise. The ML was the sweetest. Brilliant chemistry 🥰