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Cute Leads, Fun Watch
Finally, I managed to write a review on the very first C-drama I watched. What initially caught my attention was the accidental transmigration into a book—it’s such a fun and intriguing concept. But what really made me stay was the chemistry between the leads, along with the heartwarming (and sometimes hilarious) father-daughter relationship.The chemistry I mentioned earlier really carries the romance. It doesn’t rely on overly obvious moments—much of it comes through small details like glances, pauses, and that quiet tension that keeps you invested 💕.
The acting was pretty solid too. Lin Ze Hui, as Xiao Xing Heng, did well bringing out those subtle, unspoken feelings, while Zhi Yue’s Ning Zhu Xi came across as both sweet and clever. Their dynamic feels very supportive, and you can really see how much they trust each other, especially in episode 18.
Episode 18 is probably the most impactful part of the drama. The harassment scene was handled seriously, and the cast delivered strong performances that made it hit harder than expected. It’s one of those scenes that lingers after you finish the episode.
The drama does a great job balancing darker themes with humor. The father-daughter moments—one of the reasons I kept watching—add a lot of charm, thanks to her dad’s goofy yet supportive personality 😂.
In terms of visuals, the drama looks good overall. The colors, costumes, and set design are pleasing, though the female lead’s makeup might not be everyone’s favorite.
The plot itself does follow a lot of familiar tropes—a modern-minded female lead, a more traditional male lead, a comedic father figure, and even an antagonistic prince. It can feel predictable at times, but it still manages to be entertaining.
At the end of the day, the main couple is what makes this drama worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Gritty Crime Drama Built on Unconventional Justice
The idea of using criminals to catch criminals—essentially “setting a thief to catch a thief”—was executed really well. Their methods and unconventional way of thinking added a unique edge to each investigation. 👍👍One of the most interesting aspects was how the police department relied on the “boys” whenever they couldn’t solve major cases. It highlighted their limitations and how they often needed outside, unorthodox help to get results.
Each character had their own strengths and weaknesses, which made the team dynamic feel balanced and engaging. Even the boys, despite being formed into a convict task force, were still clearly caught up in their pasts. Their histories continued to follow them and influence how others perceived and treated them, adding another layer of depth to their characters and the overall story.
However, one weak point for me was the female cop. She came across as quite irksome, with a “she knows best” attitude. What stood out the most was her black-and-white mindset—she judged everything strictly as right or wrong, without considering deeper context. She looked down on Oh Goo Tak and the three men purely because of their criminal records, without trying to understand their pasts or the reasons behind their actions. This made her feel narrow-minded and lacking in insight compared to the rest of the team.
I was fully satisfied and excited when Oh Goo Tak called the female cop out -
"Aren't criminals also human? No matter how people change, once they have committed a crime, does that mean they must always be discriminated against? Listen up. You need the process but what they need are results. You're only doing this to climb the ladder of career advancement. But it's not like that for them. Even if their fingernails and toenails fall off and their bones all break, they will grit their teeth, bear the pain and keep climbing. why? Because if they fall, they will die. So if you cant even give them some ointment for their wounds, at least you shouldn't push them to their deaths. You are still a public servant."
When I read this, I was like, damn Mr. Squad Leader Oh..! Nice! That really shut her down, and it was easily one of the most satisfying moments in the drama. 😃
Even after that, she kept pushing her limits to find out whether the four of them were connected. I couldn’t tell if it was pure curiosity or just her stubborn black-and-white mindset and ego still refusing to let go. 😒🙄
Later on, she even betrayed her commissioner and switched sides for her own benefit, which honestly felt like a very ungrateful move just to get what she wanted. When she once asked why she was chosen to lead the team, Commissioner Nam gave her a straightforward answer instead of letting her overthink it (which, given her ambition and ego, she would likely never interpret correctly anyway):
"Because you are smart... and ambitious. Smart people dont see the world as it really is. They're only focus on what they are interested in, and they will make that their world for a long time. They have no idea what world is like for ordinary people. Ambitious people take no notice of others, because they are too desperate to feed their own ambition. What others might want, what others might hoping for, they dont want to see those thingsand they will never see them. "
When she shed a tear, I thought she had finally realized her arrogance and ignorance. But instead, she ended up turning her back on her own side and running toward a new one, still driven by ambition and the habit of stigmatizing others rather than truly understanding them.
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A Brutal Spiral of Greed, Betrayal, and Payback
FL is honestly hard to predict. She’s not always in control, and there were moments I genuinely thought she might fail. She can be reckless and a bit unhinged, but somehow she still keeps pushing through and getting things done. That’s part of what makes her interesting to watch.One thing that stands out more the longer you watch is how unfair everything is for women in that era. A lot of what she goes through isn’t just personal betrayal—it also reflects how little power women actually had, and how easily they could be controlled, discarded, or blamed no matter what they did. 😔
ML stays pretty lowkey for most of the story. He’s more in the background and doesn’t try to take over her journey or act like the typical “saviour” type. When he does step in, it feels more intentional. Later on, he becomes more present, and some of those emotional moments actually hit… even if a few of them made me laugh a bit. 😅
The story itself is basically about revenge.... FL is going after her own family after what they did to her, and she doesn’t just wipe them out quickly—it’s more of a slow breakdown, piece by piece. Sometimes it feels satisfying, but other times it’s just dark and kind of grim, like everything was already doomed from the start.
Honestly, the first episode already pulled me in because of how brutal it is. The greed and betrayal are just on another level. It doesn’t hold back at all, and it immediately sets this uncomfortable tone where you know these people are rotten.
Around the middle, the vibe starts to shift. It moves away from pure revenge and leans more into character interactions and relationships. It’s not as intense as the first half anymore...but it was still good! 😘
Overall, it’s chaotic, dramatic, and definitely not perfect—but it keeps you hooked. And surprisingly, after all that darkness, it still manages to end on a pretty satisfying note. ❤️❤️
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Folklore With a Twist
Honestly, Lu Ban Mysteries (鲁班异闻录) was kinda fun to watch. It’s this mix of mystery and folklore that actually keeps you curious the whole way through. I liked how it sneaks superstition into the story without getting all horror-y—just a little creepy, but still entertaining. The bits with ancient craftsmanship and old beliefs were a nice touch too, made it feel different from other mystery stuff. Plus, there are a few funny moments here and there that lighten the mood, which I really appreciated.That said… those little ghost kids? Way too cute to be scary 🤣 so don’t go in expecting to be spooked!
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