Bali

First time watching: Feb, 2019 Rewatch: Jan. 2024 Still fantastic!!!!

This is an amazingly well told story about a girl named Ming Lan. Don’t expect a torrid romance; the lead couple’s relationship takes time to develop but, once it does, it gives way to a great fusion of mind and soul. Understanding, and remembering throughout the drama, that Ming Lan grew up holding back her real emotions while cultivating her intellect, will be less frustrating. This drama has everything, from an excellent cast to cinematography, choreography... but what makes this drama great is the way the story evolves and how Ming Lan and Gu TingYe become a powerful force of love and brilliant minds working together, and sometimes, apart. Take your time and be patient because, although the drama can be considered slow paced, every episode really brings out all sorts of emotions. Enjoy it!

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This mainland China version is also a great rendition of the original “Fated To Love You” drama. Even though the drama has some minor differences that make the story a little bit distinctive, the main plot remains the same. This adaptation doesn’t have the farce characterization with absurd type comedy. The actors did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has very good and credible chemistry. The leading couple brought about a good range of emotions and really tugged at the heartstrings with their melodramatic rendition of a couple that went through immense loss and suffering. Overall, this drama is very entertaining. Enjoy it!

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By far, the best "Fated to Love You" remake version out there! Although this drama keeps the farce comedic genre, it is toned down compared to the original Taiwanese version making the drama better balanced between the comedy and romance. This version also has a unique storyline for the male lead but the overall plot follows the original story. The tear jerking moments are heart tugging and memorable. There is a fantastic gradual and consistent character growth for the leading couple who has great chemistry and did a phenomenal job bringing their characters to life. Although Lee Gun's laugh is annoying sometimes, I really like how he performed his character on this version. Jang Na Ra was perfect as Kim Mi Young. Enjoy it!

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I had high expectations about this drama since it has Yun Eun Hye and Chun Jung Myung as the leading couple. The drama, although it has some cute and heartwarming moments, lacks enthusiasm. The overall tone is somber and somewhat tragic for a romantic comedy. Main characters’ voice intonation on the drama sounded mechanical and lacks the proper emotions. I am very disappointed with the overall performances on this drama. Although the storyline was good, the script was poorly written and it became a real waste of talent. Sadly, the chemistry between the lead couple lacks passion and warmth.

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This is a great historical drama with some wuxia and a romantic storyline that develops slowly and lasts a lifetime. The ending is nice and satisfying, but it felt rushed. The drama has a lot of court politics with betrayal and family enmity but the true characters, the main leads, remain true to themselves and each other all the way to the end. Even though the main leads didn’t have many intimate scenes, their chemistry went beyond skinship; their facial expressions, beautiful embraces, heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments made their love story and partnership enviable to everyone. The drama has very well choreographed fighting scenes, beautiful costumes, and some good CGI’s, with the exception of some war scenes. Overall, the drama is very entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

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Lost Love in Times is a good fantasy romance set within a historical period of time. The drama is full of palace antics, magical fantasy; well choreograph actions scenes, smart leads, and good supporting actors. The title gives a hint as what to expect about the development of the romance as the leading couple struggles to remain strong while also sacrificing for one another in more than one lifetime. The cast did a good job of bringing their characters to life but the romantic scenes between the leads and supporting cast was insipid for the most part. The plot is well developed and the story flows nicely but, for a drama about love, the leading couple did not elicit enough awestruck moments. Still, the drama is a great watch if one is looking for a solid historical setting with engaging characters. Enjoy it!

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This is a really nice and cute coming of age and “like yourself the way you are” drama. Although the female lead suffers an injury to her face, she worked hard to accept her circumstances, and with the help of her friends, family, and the male lead that loved her steadfastly throughout the drama, she learned to love herself for who she really are and not for how she looks. The positive thing about the leading lady and her circumstances is that she knows that she will have to persevere since there are moments when she is still hurt by the scar on her face, Even then, as she hopes that the scar will become less noticeable, she remains in good spirits as she is loved and accepted by the meaningful people in her life, but more than that, she loves the person she has become. Overall, although the romance is not center staged, the drama is entertaining. (*The title does not reflect the plot drama at all!)

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The Rebel Princess is a magnificent star-studded production that delivers great entertainment. From the storyline to the cinematography, cast, costumes, OST, and finally, the fantastic chemistry among the leading couple, this drama is a great watch. Although the story is about A’Wu (Wang Xuan -portrayed by Zhang Zi Yi), a princess from the Wang clan that was wise, intelligent, determined (rebellious?), forthright, and quite savvy on matters of strategizing and conflict resolutions, the best part of the drama is the relationship between her and her husband General Xiao Qi (portrayed by Zhou Yi Wei). They grow to love, trust, respect, and protect each other against the entire series of antagonists without compromising their integrity. The main characters have a beautiful relationship that flows very naturally and, after each and every ordeal that they encounter, their relationship grows deeper and stronger. A’Wu is not a damsel in distress but she always welcomed her husband’s protection who, not only adored her, but was also mesmerized by her wisdom, endurance, and steadfastness in loving and trusting him. Overall, this is a very entertaining drama!

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This is a nice fantasy drama. The story happens within a video game in a historical timeline where the leading female is accidentally gets drawn into it and the only way to get back to the real would be after she finds her true love. The actors did a fairly good job delivering their characters but there’s no consistent great acting. The leading couple has decent chemistry but it could have been better. The storyline is lighthearted with some good dramatic moments and the story is easy to follow. The last episode felt rushed and the ending, although it was a good one, it was insipid.

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This is a fantastic web drama romantic comedy! It is a smart and well executed period drama. The plot shows a female scriptwriter that gets transported from modern days into her own historical drama storyline where she gets entangled with the male lead. The story is fast paced without prolonged unnecessary issues but with enough twists to keep the drama interesting. The cast did a great job delivering their characters and the main leads have really good chemistry that shows throughout the whole production. Although the romantic scenes could’ve been better, the leading couple shines throughout the whole drama. The comedy is great, not way over the top to make the viewers cringe. What really makes the comedy great is not only the good writing but the actors facial expressions that are priceless, especially on episode 13 when the main leads are rescued! Overall, this drama really delivers a great romantic comedy. Enjoy it!

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This is a very good and entertaining period drama. This drama has a lot of well choreographed action scenes, crime investigation, palace antics, a great antagonists and his entourage of bad people, a loud, oftentimes too impulsive but sweet and cute female lead, and a seemingly cold, smart, and loyal male lead. The supporting cast was great and the main cast was fantastic. The female lead, Yuan Jin Xia ((played by Tan Songyun) and imperial officer Lu Yi (played by Ren Jia Lun), had great onscreen chemistry, which left a hint of disappointment that their love storyline didn’t have many romantic scenes. The romance takes places slowly, it is steadfast and endearing as they both are constantly working together and willing to sacrifice their own lives to protect the other, and for the lack of romantic scenes, they make up by their understanding just on the way that they look at each other! Overall, this drama has adventure, mystery, action, and a lovely romance. Enjoy it!

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