Same Old Story!
The casting for this series is impressive, filled with top actors. However, the story is nothing but a string of clichés—a typical setup featuring a Rich cool male lead, a doormat female lead, an arrogant second male lead, and an obsessive second female lead. You also have the cute secondary couple and the usual background actors. It’s like they threw in every cliché imaginable, making it feel very predictable and uninspired.Was this review helpful to you?
Moving Experience!
I've reached the end of this series, and what a ride it has been! From start to finish, it was a truly moving experience. The characters are fantastic, and the acting is superb, especially by Han Hyo Joo, who clearly brings a veteran touch to her role. Hae Soo's dad is an absolute gem—a lovable character who brings warmth to every scene.Their individual stories and the intertwining stories of the three children were brilliantly portrayed, contributing to the overall greatness of the series.
There's something about the layers in each episode that make it worth revisiting. Overall, this series has left a lasting impression on me. It's not just a show; it's an emotional journey that I've completed, and I'm grateful for the experience.
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Familiar Plot, No Hook!
It’s a decent series, but I dropped it because it didn’t hook me. The plot felt familiar, and it seems like the male leads are what excite people the most. The female lead is okay, but I didn’t feel any chemistry between them. I liked the different stories in each lifetime, but it got boring. I ended up skipping parts and just couldn’t finish itWas this review helpful to you?
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Dark Justice: Where Demons Meet the Law!
This series is one of the best I’ve watched in the second half of 2024. I didn’t expect to see Park Shin-hye in a role like this, so I was both surprised and delighted. Known mostly for her dramatic and romantic roles, it was exciting to see her in an action-focused series again—something she’s previously done in Doctors and Sisyphus: The Myth. The plot is unique too, instantly becoming one of my favorites.The story follows Kang Bitna, a judge possessed by a demon named Justitia. As punishment, Justitia is tasked with hunting down unrepentant sinners who have caused others’ deaths, ultimately sending them to Hell. Along the way, Bitna encounters Han Daon, a detective with a different view of justice, and their chemistry adds a great layer to the plot.
There’s a lot to appreciate in this series:
- It’s satisfying to watch Bitna’s creative methods of punishing sinners, making them feel their victims' pain before their end.
- While there isn’t much romance, the chemistry between Bitna and Daon is undeniable.
- The cast’s performances are excellent, with the actress playing Gremory standing out among the supporting roles.
- The effects are impressive and well-executed.
- The pacing keeps the story engaging, and the music adds an immersive, intense atmosphere.
On the downside, there are a few areas where I had higher expectations:
- I expected more from Justitia’s demon enemies. While Paimon had a strong fight scene, Satan—being second in command—didn’t put up much of a challenge, which felt anticlimactic given Justitia’s rank.
- The “Nightmare Curse” by Satan in episodes 13 and 14 left some confusion, making viewers question if Bitna was still trapped in a nightmare.
- Bael’s role felt underdeveloped. As the one giving orders, I was hoping for a more complex twist around his character.
Overall, this series is absolutely worth watching (and rewatching), especially for those mature enough to handle the darker themes and intense action scenes.
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Just Okay, but Dull
The plot is somewhat interesting but a bit overused. I've watched half the series. The characters are easy to get, but it's a bit dull that they all act alike. The main characters, both top players from the same school, fall for each other, which is cute but a bit shallow. Even though the actors are big now, they were newbies when the show started, and it shows in their stiff acting, especially the leads. In the end, I decided to drop the series because it gets boring and feels like nothing much is happening.Was this review helpful to you?
Why This Series Didn’t Work for Me
I primarily watched this series because of the lead actors and my curiosity about this Chinese adaptation of the Thai movie Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which I loved for its freshness and perfection. I was interested to see how they would expand a movie into a series format.While I must commend the cast for their performances, I believe some stories are better suited as films rather than extended series. The pacing felt off, particularly with how long it took to show Miao Miao's transformation and beauty, causing the plot to drag. I understand that this is a series, and adapting a two-hour movie into a longer format presents challenges, but I found myself losing interest. I ended up skipping through many scenes, only watching the parts I enjoyed, and ultimately decided to drop the series altogether.
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Frustrating Watch!
This series had a lot of potential based on the synopsis and visuals, but it ended up being frustrating to watch. The story revolves around Princess Rong Le of Western Qi, who gets amnesia and is forced to marry Prince Zongzheng Wu You for political reasons. However, Wu You rejects her, and she disguises herself as Manyao to find a book that could help her nation. But then there are so many mistaken identities, lies, and constant scheming that it becomes hard to follow.The twist, that Rong Le isn’t actually the princess but the daughter of the book's creator. The title doesn't really fit either, except for a moment when her hair turns white after she stabs Wu You while poisoned.
The characters are complicated in a frustrating way. Wu You is traumatic and phobic about touching women, but then he starts pursuing Rong Le like he's entitled. Rong Le starts as a strong character, but she quickly becomes a damsel in distress, making a mess of her life. The acting is fine but nothing special. The music is forgettable.
I ended up dropping the series halfway through because it just became too frustrating. I skipped a lot of scenes to get through it, and I don't think I’ll be finishing it anytime soon. Overall, the series had potential, but the writers didn’t know how to develop the characters properly, leaving it as a major letdown.
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Not for everyone!
I totally understand that everyone has different tastes when it comes to shows. I've watched up to episode 3, but I found it difficult to continue past episode 4. While I recognize that this is a remake, I must admit it feels a bit lackluster to me. The acting is decent, but the storyline just hasn’t really captured my interest. I hope you understand!Was this review helpful to you?
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Love Amid Lies!
This series took me longer to finish, but it was worth it for the storyline alone. The plot centers on Liu Mian Tang, the female lead, and Cui Xing Zhou, the Huangyang Prince. The beginning immediately grabs your attention, introducing them as enemies: Xing Zhou is determined to capture Lu Wen, the notorious bandit leader. After an injury, Mian Tang is found and nursed back to health by Xing Zhou. However, with her memory lost, she mistakes Xing Zhou for her husband. Xing Zhou (posing as "Cui Jiu") decides to use this misunderstanding to his advantage, hoping to lure out Lu Wen, as Mian Tang is believed to be Lu Wen’s concubine.Their initial interactions are pure comedy gold. Mian Tang showers Xing Zhou with affection, completely unaware that he’s not her real husband. While this dynamic is hilarious, it’s also bittersweet because Xing Zhou is exploiting her for his benefit. Over time, their relationship evolves, and they genuinely fall in love. But when Mian Tang regains her memory, she realizes the truth: Xing Zhou is her enemy. The twist? As the story unfolds, Xing Zhou discovers that the person he’s been trying to capture is none other than Mian Tang herself—Lu Wen and Liu Mian Tang are the same person.
Their relationship goes through cycles: enemies to lovers, lovers to enemies, enemies to allies, and finally, allies to lovers. It’s a whirlwind. While the storyline is engaging, the pacing is uneven. The series starts strong and captivating, dips in the middle, picks up again during the angsty, scheming-filled episodes, and unfortunately becomes bland towards the end.
The cinematography is quite good, but the costume design is underwhelming. Given Mian Tang’s various identities—bandit leader, obedient wife, and princess—the costumes and hairstyles could have been more striking to reflect her transitions. The casting is decent overall. Zhang Wan Yi delivers a strong performance as Cui Xing Zhou, bringing depth and nuance to his character. However, Wang Chu Ran as Liu Mian Tang falls short in emotional scenes, where her expressions don’t always convey the intensity required. That said, her action scenes are fantastic and among the highlights of the series, showcasing her intelligence and physicality.
The music complements the series but is largely forgettable. While I wouldn’t rewatch the entire series, some scenes are worth revisiting. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, with a gripping beginning and middle but a somewhat lackluster ending. Overall, it’s a decent watch with its fair share of highs and lows.
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A Satisfying and Inevitable Ending!
The third and final season of Penthouse, in my opinion, serves as a fitting conclusion for all the characters in the series. Despite their actions, driven by the desire for the betterment of their children, the characters' deeds are, in essence, irredeemable. While some may argue that the two mothers should have survived, I find the collective demise to be a more acceptable ending. The toll of their actions has left them physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.The conclusion of the students/children's arcs is also well-executed, offering significant character developments and delivering just outcomes, even considering the involvement of other characters in crimes such as murder and arson. This trilogy holds a special place in my heart, and I anticipate revisiting it whenever I seek a touch of complexity in my drama list.
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Wasted!
This series initially had great potential with an intriguing plot—characters going back in time whenever the leads die—but as the story progressed, it began to lose its charm. The premise itself is interesting, but it feels like the writer either lost track of the story's direction or introduced key elements prematurely. For me, the pacing felt dragged, and the focus started to deviate from the core mystery.Given that the jade allows them to turn back time, it would have been more logical for the leads to actively seek answers together. Instead, the drama prioritizes their love story, which could have developed naturally while they searched for clues. Unfortunately, it leaned into a cliché trope where they hid their identities, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings.
With only 24 episodes, each lasting about 40 minutes, the writer should have maximized the runtime to highlight the plot instead of overly focusing on romance. The chemistry between the leads was already apparent; there was no need to overdo it.
As for the acting and casting, the actors are unfamiliar faces to me, and their performances didn’t leave a strong impression. Both the characters and their portrayal felt frustrating at times—especially the female lead, who comes across as hypocritical for getting angry at the male lead for lying about his identity when she did the exact same thing. The male lead had his flaws too, misleading the female lead into liking his alternate identity.
Overall, this series isn’t worth the watch. The underwhelming acting, annoying character traits, and a meandering storyline make it feel like a waste of time.
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Patiently Explored But Not My Cup of Tea
After investing time in the first two episodes, I find it necessary to convey my sincere impression of the series—it's moving at a pace that feels a bit sluggish for my personal taste. While I recognize the essential groundwork required to unfold a complex storyline, and the narrative potential is undoubtedly present, I'm compelled to admit that, for now, it's not quite my cup of tea.I genuinely appreciate the effort poured into crafting the story, and I might consider revisiting it someday, should a particular aspect pique my interest. However, as of now, I've decided to drop the series from my watchlist. While the story is undeniably there, it hasn't resonated with me in a way that compels me to continue. I acknowledge that preferences vary, and this may well be a matter of personal taste.
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The plot is good, but it's a bit tough to watch....
It's really just a matter of personal preference, but I think they stretched the appearance of the original character, Yang Cai Wei, too much. Even with Ju Jing Yi portraying her, I find it hard to continue watching because I'm so used to the original character's face. It would have been better if the writers didn't focus so much on the original's appearance, as it makes it challenging for me to stay engaged. I'm not trying to criticize the plot, but personally, I found it difficult to watch. In the end, I decided to drop the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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Why I’m Glad I Watched This Series!
I was hesitant to watch this series with Esther Yu because it seemed similar to her past works like Love Between Fairy and Devil and Sword and Fairy 6. However, after enjoying her role in Journey to You, I decided to give it a try, even though I wasn't sure if I'd be in the right mood. The story didn’t catch my attention at first because it reminded me of other shows with a similar plot, like The Romance of Tiger and Rose with Zhao Lusi. In both, the female lead gets pulled into a story where she ends up in the role of the antagonist. Because of that, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I’m glad I watched it.The series took a fresh approach, and I actually found it more fun than Tiger and Rose, even though they share a similar storyline. I really enjoyed how Ling Miao Miao tried to make Ziqi fall for her, with the fun idea of a “favorability percentage” going from -200% to 100%. It was a creative twist. The main leads definitely had great chemistry. I’ve seen them together in Moonlight, so I knew their dynamic would be good.
I didn’t pay much attention to the second couple’s story and ended up skipping their parts. But the actors still did a great job, especially Ding Yuxi in the emotional scenes. The music and post-production were good too. While the cinematography and effects sometimes looked cheap, they got better as the series went on.
I liked how the modern world and the game world were connected. However, some things were unclear, like when Miao Miao is under the bracelet’s spell. The system didn’t seem to interact with her, even though she’s a player, not an NPC. That was a little confusing. Despite these small issues, the show is definitely worth watching again!
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Strong Lead Chemistry Make This Series Worth Watching.
I watched this out of curiosity. Some people mentioned it was a low-budget series, and with the short episodes, it felt like it. The cast isn’t very famous, but despite that, I found it to be a good series with great chemistry between the leads. The actors did a good job portraying their characters. I already knew Alen Fang from his other work, but the actress was new to me. Her acting was decent, though it felt a bit lacking in some areas, but her voice is very nice.I really liked Huang Bei Shuang, played by Hankiz Omar. Her character was straightforward and clever, which made her fun to watch. Huo Qing Yun’s character wasn’t my favorite, but it fit the story well. I didn’t feel much chemistry between the second leads, even though they had some tension. The villain was good, but something about him felt a little off.
One thing that stood out to me was the opening song—I really enjoyed it and never skipped it. It added a nice touch to the overall feel of the show.
Overall, the pacing was okay, though some parts dragged, and I skipped through a few scenes.
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