Good but Barely Misses its Potential
While far from perfect, I enjoyed this drama. Its plot was so unique, and I’m always here for writers thinking outside the box. So, here’s my rundown:Pros:
• The story. “Be My Princess” has a very fresh plot, and I really enjoyed the story as it progressed. It does a good job of pulling you in.
• The FL lead. Ming Wei is amazing. She is absolutely awesome. She is such a strong and compelling lead. I’ve seen and been impressed with Zhou Zie Qiong’s acting before, but this was another level. It really showed her range.
• The chemistry 🔥. I am a sucker for a good kiss scene, and this drama is full of them. In fact, it has some of the most beautifully, intentionally crafted kiss scenes of ANY drama I’ve seen.
• The 2nd couple… brilliant. Just brilliant. Could have watched their own show.
Cons:
• The pacing. Even though the story was good, I skipped through a whole lot because, to me, the pacing just felt slow and even odd sometimes. I would NOT have finished it without skipping. And then to end the whole series with two episodes of their show, scenes we have already watched multiple times—felt like a poor decision. I didn’t watch them since the story really finishes happily at Episode 28.
• Tropes. Despite having a very fresh idea for the plot, the screenplay does fall to the pitfalls of Cdramas and relies on tropes, even when these tropes make the characters act in ways that don’t fit who they are, especially the male lead.
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Following Your Dreams and Finding Love
A brilliantly written story of following one’s dreams through heartache and sacrifice and of finding someone who loves you enough to come along that path with you.“You Are My Glory” was simply phenomenal. It had one of the sweetest romances I’ve ever seen in a C-Drama, one that was never bogged down by ridiculous separation, psychotic exes, or disapproving parents. Instead it was fun and realistic. And don’t even get me started on their chemistry. I’ve seen these two in dramas before, and they almost always have great chemistry with their costars, but this was another level. It was like they literally couldn’t keep away from each other. Some of the best kiss scenes ever.
The plot itself was fresh and meaningful, giving a glimpse into the world of aerospace. Honestly, it was a fascinating story that kept you very interested.
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CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY
“Why Women Love” is a beautiful but realistic drama depicting the struggles of finding love, and it does not disappoint. The story of Jiangyue and Jiaxin will absolutely melt your heart.And so will their chemistry!!! It is NEXT LEVEL. Even when they’re not touching, it almost feels like they can’t keep their hands off each other. And when they finally get together, it’s full on explosive.
The slow burn romance may try your patience, and there may be times when the FL makes you frustrated with how she holds her herself back, even to the extent of hurting the ML. But the way the show works through her deep, deep hurts and fears is beautiful. In the end, everything is so worth it. They become a couple that is strong, adorable, and unwavering in their love. No messy break ups. No pointless fights. Just love.
The cast is great. The supporting cast will make you fall in love with them, and the two leads are truly exceptional. Wang Zi Yi delivered a ML that may have just become my new favorite.
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Despite the negative reviews, this is worth the watch
An excellently delivered drama that will have you holding your breath one moment and sawing, “Aww…” the next. “Dream Garden” accomplishes what many suspense dramas fail to do, a good blend of the ongoing story with the unfolding romance.For one, this is a fresh suspense story. The focus on the psychological side as opposed to a typical crime solving format was super cool. The hypnotic scenes were super weird in the best way. It reminded me, cinematography-wise, of the blockbuster hit, “Inception”. The individual story arcs propelled the story at an very excellent pace, something many C-Dramas falter on. Choosing to adopt a typical Korean style format of 16 one house episodes was brilliant.
Asides from the writing, it was the cast that made this drama truly 10 Star worthy. I’m a huge Gong Jun fan… HUGE… and he did not disappoint. Neither did our FL lead, Qiao Xin, who also shines in just about everything I’ve seen her in. Their chemistry with one another was simply perfect. While the romance itself is slow burn, when they do get together, there is no lack of amazing cute and steamy scenes. And the supporting cast was excellent as well. Aside from a really compelling villain and compelling clients at the counseling center, I can’t remember the last time I was invested in all three of a C-Drama’s couplings. That, itself, was impressive.
The final thing that impressed me was that, when the drama seemed as though it were about to go in the direction of a long and unnecessary separation for the leads, the FL convinced the ML within a hour that he could rely on her to deal with what was coming and they got back together. That is huge to me. Strong woman, strong couple--10/10.
All in all, this was a tremendous watch. I can’t recommend it enough. I’ll be adding it to multiple drama lists on my profile; so, if you found this review helpful or agreed with my thoughts, go check out those lists for some other recommendations.
But first… do yourself a favor and watch “Dream Garden”. You won’t regret it
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If you like sports dramas, this is for you!
This was a solid blend of comedy, romance, and winter sports. Like seriously. A perfect blend. I haven’t laughed out loud this much while watching in a drama in a while.It was the winter sports that drew me to this, and I’m so glad I watched it. The plot was really great I haven’t laughed out loud this much while watching in a drama in a while.
It was the winter sports that drew me to this, and I’m so glad I watched it. The plot was really great, and the leads were absolutely phenomenal, especially the ML, and I loved how they stuck together through all the adversities they faced.
It did drag a bit, but, overall, the pacing is okay. They do an excellent job of wrapping up the subplots in the last several episodes so the last two can focus on the final competitions and happy endings.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Second Chance at First Love
As usual, Kim So-Hyun delivers with amazing acting and an eye for a good script. “Serendipity’s Embrace” is the wholesome romance we needed this summer.Pros:
• A solid cast. Our leads were amazing, first of all. KSH is one of my all time favorite Korean actors/actresses, and I fell in love with our male lead in “Unlock My Boss”. The rest of the ensemble cast was great too. I loved love loved the best friend and how selfless she was, and the rest of the cast stole my heart too.
• Slice of life at its best. If you follow my reviews (which I know a lot of you do and thank you for that ❤️), you may know I’m not a fan of “slice of life” dramas. There’s only been two within the genre that ever got me, “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” (KDrama) and “Hidden Love” (CDrama). But this one has all the best elements of the slice of life. The beauty of young love, friendship, and healing comes through splendidly in the day to day lives of each character.
• Adorable romance. These two are so lovably awkward with each other. It’s adorable. Their quirky relationship is so cute, and it develops and matures beautifully.
Cons:
• Crazy Mother-in-Law trope. I thought K-Dramas were outgrowing this one. Good grief. The toxic mom showing up in the last three episodes really annoyed me. And worse, how did we not get to see them finally beat her in the end? The whole ending is very much “in a few months to a year, we can finally overcome her meddling” instead of the mom either getting what she deserved or growing as a person. This drama was gonna be a ten but this really irked me.
• Chemistry. I found this just a bit lacking even though they were cute. It didn't have umph I was hoping to see out of the leads.
• JUSTICE FOR SANG PIL. Okay, this one may be silly, but the guy best friend deserved so much better than these writers gave him. 1. He looks back onhis life unhappy that he has dedicated it to work but does not change at the end. 2. He laments not having love, and he never gets it! Even at the end of the show, you get the feeling that he is in an unrequited love situation with the second FL. 3. He would have been a much better fit for said girl. But anywayyyy....
All that said, Kim So-Hyun never disappoints, and this is no exception.
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An Easy but Super Fun Watch
As far as webdramas go, this is great! I loved this show so incredibly much… in fact, I watched it in one sitting.Our two leads were just excellent in every way. I liked the personalities, the acting, and the CHEMISTRY. It managed to pack a lot in its 10-20 minute episodes, and so the pacing (for a web drama) was great.
The second FL was a bit hard to swallow as a character. She annoyed me quite a bit. And even though I lovex the main lead, the second lead syndrome in this drama comes hard at your heartstrings. I wasn’t emotionally prepared.
All in all, a fun watch, especially if you like webdrams like “User Not Found” and “Be My Boyfriend”. Definitely add it your list.
If you like this kind of drama, check out my recommendations on my “Short and Bingeable” list on my profile.
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A Dramatic Story of Love and Family
“Grand Prince” was amazing, simply amazing.It’s a story of the strength of love through incredible adversity. The leads deliver us a heart wrenching and beautiful journey of deep, enduring love. “Grand Prince” has stellar acting—STELLAR—excellent pacing, great romance (with some amazing kiss scenes), a great cast, and a captivating story. Oh, and it has one of the most satisfying endings ever!
Also, Jin Yang has to be one of the most compelling villains I have ever seen in a KDrama. He was written brilliant and acted brilliantly.
Absolutely recommend.
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A Comedy That Turns into Quite the Dramatic Ride
Initial Thoughts (Episodes 1-8) (Will post final thoughts after the finale):“Moonshine” is a charming story with an amazing cast. As always, Yoo Seung-Ho delivers compellingly, and it’s also worth noting that Hyeri is reminding us in this drama why she is such an up and coming actress in Korea. This drama’s initial strength is in its actors and its comedy. The comedic scenes are delivered very well and will have you laughing out loud. The plot, as a whole, is engaging and new. The prohibition and moonshine dynamic is fascinating.
The intrigue and action comes to a boil in the second half, and the love between the leads was so pure and beautiful. No needless breakup or thing keeping them apart. In the end, they—and all their friends—work together to bring about vengeance for those lost and a brighter future for Joseon.
Another great point was the chemistry of not just the first couple—though it was amazing and had some awesome kiss scenes—but the second too. I could have watched a whole drama based on their story. What a great ending for them as well.
The finale wrapped up the story beautifully, making up for any bit of slowness in the beginning. Truly worth the watch.
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Great Potential, Missed Opportunity
I was so excited for this drama, but here I am dropping it. Quite simply, its strengths aren’t enough to carry it to the end.It’s got beautiful scenery, costumes, good acting, and great plot to begin with, and more… but…
What starts as a brilliant enemies-to-lovers set up spirals downhill in its last half. The strength of this drama was in its leads. Both are written with depth, acted very well, and have tremendous chemistry. However, the writing begins to disintegrate their like ability. Our ML begins as a domineering but actually very kind general bent on avenging his parents death. He falls quickly in love with the FL lead and sparks fly. Our FL begins as a strong, loyal woman who is brilliant and independent. What they become? Due to the excessive angst of this show, our ML becomes blinded by his love to the point of selfishness and near obsession. Our FL becomes cold and distant and hyper-independent, and she is needlessly cold to him despite their love for one another.
They love each other, but she hurts him over and over because the plot necessitates it. (The writing here is very disappointing.)This is Romeo and Juliet, except Juliet wants to stay alive so she just treats Romeo awful over and over and Romeo tries everything he can to force her to stay against her will.
The plot idea itself is great, and the cast is awesome. But it simply falls short. Not to mention the subplots were so boring, and the characters who had the subplots were overall unlikable. (Except for one of the antagonists. He was awesome!)
Poor CGI, long and drawn out angst, and more ruin the amazing potential this drama had and the awesome way it started. I tried to give it my all, but I can’t bring myself to finish.
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A disappointing conclusion to 2025’s Kdrama lineup
This has not been a superstellar year for K-Dramas unfortunately (in my opinion), and this one wraps up the year in the same fashion. Our lead actors are amazing—so what went wrong?• Slapstick comedy — I love a romcom. I love a historical romcom. But slapstick jokes that feel ridiculous and out of place? Not for me. Unfortunately, “Moon River” has this in abundance.
• Body swap in the MIDDLE of the show — Okay, I’m not a huge fan of the body swap genre, but I gave this a try very open mindedly. But this was a crazy script choice. Why? It happens halfway through the drama. Not at the beginning. In the freaking middle. The show had started to come into its own, and then it takes a hard nose dive back into slapstick.
• Our second couple outshines the main — Tbh, while our two leads have great chemistry, they just didn’t do it for me. Our second couple? Oh my goodness. They almost were enough to keep me going.
“Moon River” has its strengths. It’s not an overtly bad drama. But, if I’m being honest, I can’t say it’s a good one either. 2026’s Kdrama line ups look amazing, so let’s hold out for January instead.
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2026 is off to a STELLAR start.
“Love Between Lines” is one of the best modern Cdramas I’ve seen in a few years. That’s not to say there haven’t been great ones; it’s just this one is another level. It’s a masterpiece.What makes it stand out?
• The incredible intersection of the game and reality. They did this excellently, without the real world getting boring in comparison. It made every return to the game something special and unique. Their chemistry in the game was phenomenal.
• Masterful story telling. This is Asian drama writing at its best. The pacing is fantastic, the characters are lovable (and logical!), the plot is captivating—it’s just a great story from beginning to end. Even the angsty time apart was done excellently, and our leads fought for each other so beautifully.
• Our leads. Oh my goodness, our leads. Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhiyu are some of the best leads we’ve seen in a while. Our FL is resilient but vulnerable. Watching her grow is a highlight of the show. Our ML is equally amazing. He has so much healing that happens, and loving Hu Xiu is one of the most healing parts of his journey. Plus these two are walking green flags.
• CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY. Where to start? These two are incredible. No shock from these two fantastic actors, but this is another level. Every kiss (and there are tons), every touch, every look, and every moment between them is electric.
Truly a great start to the year.
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Romance, mystery, and macabre
What a journey I’ve been on as I watched this drama. Truly a brilliant show—acted, directed, written, and produced with excellence.Pros:
* The romance — Very rarely do you find a couple like this. For one, our actors were brilliant and their chemistry was fire! They were so at ease with a multitude of kisses. Secondly, they are committed to each other. Totally and completely. No messy breakup or miscommunication. When they decide to be together in episode 16, they never—and I mean NEVER—go back on their word to fight side by side for justice. If you love Song Mo and Dou Zhao in “Blossom”, you’ll love Yan Chi and Shen Wan in “The Coroner’s Diary”
* The leads — I already know I love Ao Rui Peng, but I was new to Landi Li. They killed it! Their acting was just plain phenomenal. More than that, these characters were written phenomenally. Shen Wan is a FL for the history books. Drama writers, take notes. She is strong, brilliant, determined, just, and loyal. Yan Chi? Drama writers, take notes again. He is brave, resilient, protective, kind, and fiercely in love. Class one green flag.
* The writing — Very rarely I have I been able to finish an ancient historical detective drama. This one, though? It was top tier. The cases are so intricate, and the overarching political plot ended up being absolutely mind blowing.
* Production — The costumes will blow you away. The makeup will too. The OST? Excellent. The sets? Excellent. The action scenes? Excellent.
Cons:
* Gore galore — I love American cop shows so I didn’t expect to be a wuss when I watched this. I was not prepared for the level of gore that would accompany some of these murders. There were five murders in particular where I could barely handle looking at the body. There’s a serial killer arc in the second half that left me almost nauseous with how brutal the murders were. Violence, in general, is perhaps abnormally abundant for a romance drama, especially in the last half.
* Pacing issues — Typically in the Chinese mystery shows, a case will be wrapped up in two to three episodes. This one averages about five episodes per case, with every case having more than one murder involved. This lowkey annoyed me because I often was more than ready to move to the next case, but they’d just kill off someone else and it would drag out another episode.
* This last one is just an opinion thing so I won’t even call it a full con, but I think we deserved to flesh out our ML’s past much more. We got way more screen time of FL than the ML, which is fine, but the ML’s backstory ends up being integral to the main plot and so the fact that we barely see any of it kinda felt unfinished to me.
Overall, I get the hype for this show. “The Coroner’s Diary” is one of the best Chinese dramas I’ve watched this year. Definitely recommend.
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HIDDEN GEM
Where do I begin? Where do I ever begin? I watched “Rookie Cops” just because I had nothing else to watch and was desperate… The first night I sat down and watched it, I think I knew that I was about to go on one heck of a ride?The ultimate ensemble cast that makes you deeply love all these rookies as they do life together? Check. A romance that was simply amazing with fantastic kiss scenes, chemistry, and development? Check. Acting that is just plain great? Check.
Humor that will literally make you laugh out loud? Check. Suspense that will have your heart racing? Check. An element of mystery that honestly keeps you guessing till the end? Check.
“Rookie Cops” is a hidden gem here on MDL, and it is infinitely worth the watch. I loved “Police University” when it came out, but this is another level. Can’t recommend it enough.
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A Well-Executed Noona Romance
This drama has an excellent start, and I truly mean excellent. If it would have wrapped up at 24 episodes, it would have been a ten for me. But the last ten episodes really ruined the way he for me by needlessly dragging out what would have been such a perfect show.Pros:
• Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry — Our two leads have some of the most effortless, comfortable chemistry I’ve seen in a show. It’s as if the actors have known each other all their lives. They truly look like they enjoy what they’re doing, and every moment is perfect because of that. Plus, the kiss scenes are to die for.
• Lovable leads. Yi Ke and Guangxi were some of the most lovable leads in a C-Drama I’ve ever watched. They are strong for each other and never give up on their lives. Not to mention, the second and third couples were also very endearing, which isn’t always the case.
• An engaging and realistic love story — This avoids, for the most part, the pitfalls of over dramatic and unnecessary twists. Rather, what see is a couple that faces the realities of life and their age gap with determination and maturity, and, eventually, that determination pays off.
Cons:
• The last ten episodes — I’m irritated as I write this, because, the last ten episodes dragged out the story so unnecessarily. They added things last minute and added conflicts that left me frustrated. And, in the end, the last episode left me going, “That’s it?” Even though it was happy, I think we deserved to see more of their happiness instead of separation.
• Did they ever truly resolve the age gap? — In the end, because Guangxi is in a different phase of life, we see their struggles are not yet over, and, while it may be realistic, I was very unhappy with this.
Overall, it was great. It really was. I still recommend it. But the reality is I skipped and skipped through the last episodes and it was a chore to finish. But, all in all, still a great drama with even greater leads.
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