Lyrry

Absolutely brilliant!

Saying that this is my new favorite cdrama is an understatement because this is by far not just a favorite but I love everything about it. Well including the cliffhanger ending. Lol

What I love:
-Wang Hedi's brilliant portrayal of Xu Qian. I cannot imagine anyone who can nail this character better
-The hilarious and loving Xu Family. All of them are amazing. My favorite is the youngest Xu. Everytime she talks, I smile
-The Guardians especially Zhu and Song, Yang Yan and Li Yuchun. Zhu and Song's friendship and loyalty to XQ
-Lord Wei being a father figure to XQ
-Xu Qian's secret sect with powerful members. I ship Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen. They have chemistry
-Princess Lin'an's silliness and cuteness and Grand Princess' calm and beauty
-Caiwei that cannot stop eating and Song Qing's mad scientist experiements. Lol
-Simu's genuine affection to Xinnian and the Xu Family

The ending is not in the novel. But I think it gives way to a possible Season 2. We can only hope.
PS: In the novel, XQ is collecting things that can revive Lord Wei

I will rewatch. It was the first time ever that I wish this drama is more than 40 episodes and 40+ mins per episode is not enough

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Good romance...

-This short drama has better romance than some A rated cdramas.
-Actors have good chemistry.
-Bad ass female lead for the win! She actually killed a spy without blinking.
-Su Mumu, fl's best friend, is Lady Whistledown in ancient/fantasy china version. Her gossip papers are amusing.
-I love Prince Ning and his love for his daughter. He always have cute interactions with Chuxi.
-The title does not fit the whole drama. It only fits the first episode first scene where fl just wants a peaceful and wealthy life.
-Stunning costumes especially for fl. I adore her dresses. Even their make ups look like cosplay/anime
-The epidemic theme is timely due to the recent pandemic.
-I find Bai Luo Qiu more handsome than the lead Xiao Xing Heng.
-The actor who playes Xiao Xingheng reminds me of Su Rongqing (Chen He Yi) in The Princess Royal.

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Super slow burn romance...

Romance: 20%
Royal Intrigue/Political Intrigue: 70%
Slice of Life: 10%

This is my 3rd Zhang Linghe drama and I am always amazed of his acting. He gave amazing justice to Xie Wei/Xie Juan's complicated character. This is my 1st Bai Lu drama. Not her fan but I like her acting skills.

Story wise, it was interesting. Xie Wei's character is the most complex character I have encountered in a cdrama. A kid discarded for power, who survived through his intelligence and strategic mind. That was interesting.

Jiang Xuening has a lot of regrets in her past life. She does not need a righteous guy like Zhang Zhe. She really needs a crazy guy like Xie Wei. Their romance is slow burn and frustrating but explosive and worth it, and it's a happy ending which is better than other cdramas with open-ended ending, cliff hanger ending, or sad ending. Not a fan of those endings.

I love her friendship with Yan Lin. Although Yan Lin has feelings for her. Also her friendship with the princess. I love the reconciliation and silent support with her sister Jiang Xuehui.

Highly recommended.

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Cliche but worth my time. I love it!

Ao Rui Peng and Tian Xi Wei have really great chemistry. I enjoyed their sweet scenes. The first time I watched Ruipeng is The Blood of Youth. So I am glad I came across this drama. Tian Xi Wei is so cute. They are cute together.

The second couple also has good chemistry. I mean all couples in the drama are paired well.

Story wise, it's cliche but I love cliches and these type of stories. I need feel good series to entertain my introvert self. Acting wise, I also like it. The villains in the Qi Residence are on point. I love when all Qi members came together to catch the villain.

Happy ending. Happy viewer here. :)

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Regression and Revenge

It's been a while since I have watched Romance KDrama since I am more of a CDrama fan.

I have read the manhwa of this series way back I almost forgot the key details of the story. The series followed the manhwa flow but changed a lot of scenes. I do not remember Yu Ra. Min Hwan's mother was killed by Soo Min and Baek Eun Ho was not a major character. Personally I would have wanted the manhwa to be followed but that would be predictable to me. So I am okay with the changes.

This regression, revenge drama is satisfying since there's no questions left after the ending.

The actors have good chemistry. Not great but good. First time I watched these actors. I am not a fan of the female lead but she did well. Soo Min actress however, did great in her acting that you will hate her here more than the manhwa adaptation. She fits the villain to the core that I would watch her again in a different KDrama if she is the villain. That's how good she is. She portayed Soo Min's psychopathic character amazingly.

My favorite character is Yoo Hui Yeon. The adorable sister of ML and friend of FL. A foodie who is not a snob despite of being one of the biggest share holder of U&K.

For a non KDrama fan such as me recommending this, it says a lot. :)

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Key episodes review...

Spoilers ahead!!!

Episode 1-14: I hate Niaoniao's mother to the core. She hadn't raised her daughter but she always compares her to her cousin, distrustful of her, and resorts to iron discipline. I mean if you haven't raised your own kid, you will love and make up to her the best way possible. I am a mom of 4, 3 sons and my youngest is a daughter so I am crying for Niaoniao throughout her ordeal with her mother. Her mother always thinks she is right and that she sacrificed for the country without thinking the struggles her daughter went through for years in the hands of the people who hates her. She left her daughter because her in laws said so without fighting for it.

I love her brothers and father. They genuinely adore Niaoniao.

Episode 15: ML, 2nd ML and 3rd ML in one frame. Truth be told I am rooting for Mr. Yuan. The love(one-sided)-hate(mutual) relationship with him and FL is amusing. I adore Yao. He is a kid who admires a girl who is not ordinary. I love that he takes care of Niaoniao and do his best to be by her side. As of Ling Buyi, I am a fan of brooding and strong male lead but maybe because I am not a Wu Lei fan that I don't feel him. My bias is Li Yunrui in this drama. Yeah I watched Blossom before this.

Niaoniao liked the marriage proposal of Yao because he promised they will be equals and will work together in the future. Easier said than done since he is from a noble family. His family is a den of tigers with brutal women.

Third Aunt is my favorite from these episodes. She cares for Niaoniao and understands her which in a small way made up for Niaoniao's lack of motherly love.

Episode 17: Niaoniao finally met her in laws. Her mother, although I hate her did good with showing her the true face of what her marriage will look like in the future.

Episode 20: Shows that Niaoniao got her temper from her mother. They're like peas in a pod. If Niaoniao was raised by her mother, she would be like her mother and not carefree though. But they have the same fiery personality. Although her mother contains it. The last scene was brutal. I would do the same many times over if I am in lady He's shoes.

Episode 22: Yuan needs to change his strategy. He is a tsundere.

Episode 24: That was an intense marriage proposal. A big win to Ling Buyi. Yuan left behind again. Niaoniao's mother humiliating and degrading her in front of the royal family and nobles was harsh and below the belt. Although I understand where she was coming from, it was not necessary for her insults to go that far.

Episode 25: I am giving Ling Buyi 1000 points for defending his future wife. I love it!

Episode 29: The empress is my favorite character of all. Patient and kind. She is what Niaoniao needs. The Emperor is funny too in every scene from ep 1-29.

Episode 34: Another awesome episode. The royal family going to Niaoniao's residence to help her. I love the emperor, empress, and consort Yue. Consort Yue is as nice as the empress.

Episode 37: Shanjian's jealousy was sad. Seeing your love happy with another is heartbreaking. The fifth princess is arrogant but got what she deserves. I was wondering what will happen to her "aides" and was not shocked that they got the death penalty. I mean I was wondering why fifth princess act that way when she has advisors/aides so it's not surprising that they might be the reason why she acts that way.
Personally, I do not like the crown prince to be the emperor. He is weak bordering to cowardness. The third prince is more firm.

Episode 40: Shanjian's mother was perceptive. She knew his feelings for Shaoshang. His refusal to get married because of his parents was understandable. He hides his affection by bickering with her every time. I still root for him for FL.

Episode 41: The crown princess deserves her punishment. She is not fit to be a future empress. Her inferiority complex made her life miserable. She could have just cherished her marriage and improved it but she tormented crown prince former love that caused her and her children's abuse. Unacceptable.

Consort Yue is one tough woman. I like her. The Empress is a very kind and benevolent woman. I love her. The Emperor is funny as always. But out of all the cdramas I watched this was the nicest emperor.

Episode 42-43: Shanjian saving Shaoshang's family and assisting her is commendable. I just hope Shaoshang will treat him better. She always dismisses him.

Ling Buyi knows Shaoshang's thoughts and actions because he is observant of her. Proof of his love.

Episode 45: Wan Qiqi for the win! That was a heartwarming scene. So Shaoshang's twin brother Shaogong divination is accurate.

Episode 48-49: Putting your whole family's life on the line just for a man is dumb. I didn't like what Shaoshang did here. Ling Buyi isn't even worth it. Ling Buyi proposed marriage only to get revenge before the wedding. Double dumb. He just used Shaoshang as a cover in my eyes. I am in episode 49, almost done but I still can't like the ml. And they say Xie Wei from Story of Kunning Palace is red flag but Buyi or Wushang is crazier than him.

Episode 50: And now I am so right with my initial comment that third prince would be a better emperor than the crown prince. He is tough and decisive.

Episode 51: In my mind, Shaoshang called off her engagement with Buyi now Wushang and married Shanjian. -THE END- XD

Now Shaoshang's mother knows the pain of being abandoned and being set aside.

Episode 52: Now everyone is having a good life but Ling Buyi that bastard killed Shaoshang's light.

Episode 53: This was a heartbreaking episode. Empress Xuan was a wonderful woman who filled the mother role in Shaoshang's heart. Meanwhile Shaoshang's mother finally fully understood where Shaoshang felt when she was left for years. I still do not like Huo Buyi.

I've always expected Lady Luo to be a villain. Another fitting end to a villain.

Empress Heng is the toughest woman in this drama. She accepted Empress Xuan for the stabilization of their country. Not anyone can do that.

Episode 54: I cried of her mother and grandmother's regret and redemption. That was a nice scene with her mother.

Finale: My favorite scene was Niaoniao's whole family to the rescue.

Final thoughts:
-Still not a fan of Wu Lei. Chemistry is mid, at best for me. Maybe for others they have great chemistry but I watched a lot of Zhao Lusi drama and she only has in my opinion, great chemistry with her Hidden Love ml and Who Rules the World ml
-Lackluster ending. Too many episodes but where's the grand wedding?!?
-Rigid, almost robotic revenge-centric ML. Red flag all over. Everytime he saves FL, he has an agenda aside. He redeemed himself on the last few episodes but nah, still meh...
-Too many misunderstandings it became boring and repetitive
-I root for Shanjian throughout the drama

What I love about the drama:
-Empress Xuan becoming a foster mother to Shaoshang
-Empress Xuan and Empress Yue's peaceful co existence
-Shaoshang's family especially her brothers and father
-Shanjian
-Huo Buyi's bodyguards especially the talkative Fei
-The villains' fitting ends. That were so satisfying
-Series ending where Shaoshang's family saved her and the Guo villagers

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One of the great cdramas out there

I started getting immensed in the story from episode 25 to end. It was awesome. Episode 27 gave me goosebumps. The main lead grew on me and I really like his character. If there's season 2, I will surely watch.

Xiao Yu's death is inevitable because his mom Wejun is as pathetic as when she's portrayed in Dashing Youth. Just a pushover.

The novel author might have hated happy ever afters. Yue Yao and Zhao Yuchen's deaths aren't poetic but frustrating. I mean almost all couples have dead partners.

Wuxin's character wasn't given justice. But understandable since it's the story flow. Xiao Se's refusing the emperor role is also understandable. As emperor, he will have a harem, restricted to the palace, battling conspiracies and wars. As he said, it's boring. He is a powerful man so he belongs in jianghu.

Overall I really liked TBOY. I watched Dashing Youth as well. They are both awesome. Although I like DY a little bit more since it's more fun than TBOY.

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Powerhouse of Handsome Men

This series is filled with handsome men. Lol. Eye candies gallore.

I watched this because it's a Neo Hou drama and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this more than Back from the Brink because I am more of a martial arts fan than romance.

My favorite characters are:
1) Master Li. This op immortal is the best character.
2) Dongjun's Poison Master Uncle. Such carefree and cool uncle.
3) Dongjun's 1st Master, Gu Chen. He did well readying a young Dongjun in the jianghu.
4) Dongjun's family (mother, father, grandfather).
5) Xiao Ruofeng. He should have been the emperor.

My hated characters are:
1) Grand Eunuch. He is ambitious and dangerous.
2) Yue Qing. Every time she appears on screen, she irritates me so much. Truth be told she is more beautiful than Yue Yao but she is annoying af.
3) Prince Qing.
4) Li Hanyi adult version. She is no longer the cute little girl who always eat tanghulu.

My favorite scenes are BEWARE SPOILER
1) The appearance of Dongjun's giant white serpent. I wonder why it did not appear again. It could have been really cool
2) When he got his sword 'dustless'. He showed a great sword style but it never appeared again during his fights. Such a let down.
3) The kid with fire power who made the sword merge and fly. I guess he is a TBOY main character? Not sure. Haven't watched it yet.
4) Master Gu's fight. That was awesome. Sad he died.
5) The liquor challenge. This is a fun episode.
6) Master Li's regression to his younger self.
7) All scenes with Dongjun with his first and second masters. Master Li is a delight.
8) Master Li's fight with rain demon.
9) Master Li's fight with Grand Eunuch.
10) Every time Master Li appears. Lol

Romance is sub par. No chemistry at all for all couples.

Story progress is 7.5/10. I want Ye Dingzhi to win multiple times. I read a lot of manhuas/manhwas where I root for the demonic sect. He is just retaliating because of the unfairness of the world.

What I hate is what happened to Li Hanyi. She was an adorable person as a kid but became power hungry as adult. I also hate Ruojin for forcing himself to Wen Jun and she reluctantly bear a child.

Ending is inevitable. I still root for Ye Yun.

MAJOR SPOILER!!! This is from novel. Yue Yao was accidentally killed by Dongjun because he taught she is Yue Qing which is the dumbest sh!t ever! Dongjun lived in seclusion after that. So what's the point of having two powerful masters and learning some of the most powerful sword techniques when you just end up like that? Pathetic path and frustrating af.

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Hot, Handsome, Green Flag ML

Episode 1-2: The FL is pathetic, pushover, and naive. I understand where she's coming from though. She was a kind child who just want to have a family. She did her best to be loved but her adoptive family are all scumbag.

The introduction of ML and FLs love story is funny. Although she found her resolve, FL is still hesitant and weak. She is still not the villain she wants herself to be. That was the weirdest and one of the sweetest marriage proposal I have watched. Good chemistry. I like it!

Episode 3-6: Super frustrated with the FL.
I was waiting for explosive revenge acts but she just cries, appears super sad, and pushes the ML away every time. My only consolation is they did the deed on ep 6.

Final thoughts: Mother in law is slay. But my favorite character is the handsome ML. Green flag, hot, and my type. Lol. I rewatched it. I also read the manhwa but it was boring af. The drama is better.

One of the best endings I have seen so far.

Worth my time!

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