This review may contain spoilers
Hate sparked it, love sealed it.
After seeing this drama all over the place, I just had to dive in and see what all the fuss was about. And let me tell you, by the end of it, I totally got why everyone was crazy about it. It's one of those stories that grabs you from the start and won't let go, leaving you glued to the screen, craving more. I totally get the hype now because I absolutely fell head over heels for this drama. The storyline is amazing, the characters are so lovable, and Liu Yu Ning became my new crush, lol. (๑•ᴗ•๑)
₊˚⊹♡ What I liked:
❖ I really loved the female lead, Manman. She’s smart, brave, and strong—one of those characters who stays calm under pressure and doesn’t make reckless decisions. A character with charisma and charm. She’s also not the type to be easily influenced by others, which makes her feel grounded and realistic.
❖ As for the male lead, Wei Shao... he definitely starts off as a walking red flag, lol. But once you learn about everything he’s been through, it kind of makes sense. He’s a guy shaped by betrayal and deep emotional wounds, so naturally, he struggles with trust. But what I really liked is how his character grows—he starts to soften thanks to his connection with Manman. Little by little, he lets his guard down, opens up, and learns what it means to love and trust someone again.
❖ I’m such a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope—the tension, the longing, the emotional push-and-pull was Chef’s kiss. This drama handles it so well. The slow-burn buildup between the leads is seriously addictive, and their chemistry is Undeniable. What made it all so satisfying was how natural their evolution felt. They went from enemies to reluctant allies, to people who truly care for each other, and you could feel every step of that journey. They each had their own personal struggles to overcome, and watching them open up and find real connection was beautiful. And omg the kisses! I was left speechless, not gonna lie. There were only two or three scenes, but they *absolutely* set the screen on fire. (〃ﾉωﾉ)
❖ The acting was top-tier. Everyone really brought their characters to life. This was my first time seeing Liu Yu Ning in a drama, and I was so impressed—not just with his performance but with his whole vibe, which totally fit the tone of the story. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work. It was also my first time watching Song Zu Er, and I really liked how she portrayed her character—strong, sincere, and super likeable. The supporting cast was just as amazing; each side character added something special, and they honestly made me laugh and cry.
❖ The villains? Yeah, I hated them. They weren’t just evil for the sake of it; their backstories actually made them feel human and layered. You could understand why they became the way they were, and I always appreciate when a story gives depth to its antagonists. Sure, there were a few things that could’ve been done better, but overall, they worked well in the story.
❖ This drama put me through every emotion. I laughed, I teared up, I screamed at my screen, I kicked the air—it was a full-on emotional rollercoaster and I loved every second of it.
❖ The OST was Amazing. It fits the tone of the story perfectly. My personal favorite is the main track sung by Liu Yu Ning (yes, this man really does it all—sing, act, and even cook 😭). Honestly, I could listen to his voice forever. ♥
❖ The cinematography and costumes were absolutely stunning. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into every scene, and it really shows. The visuals are *chef’s kiss* gorgeous and completely immersive.
₊˚⊹♡ What I didn’t like as much:
❖ There honestly wasn’t much that bothered me, but I do have to say that the political and war-related parts near the end felt a bit rushed. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience for me, but I think a little more time and development in those areas would’ve made things stronger. Just a small thing I noticed!
❖ I wasn’t really sold on Bi Zhi and Qiao Fan’s relationship. Their dynamic just didn’t do much for me, and honestly, I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. I think their characters could’ve been more interesting if they’d been developed a bit better, but in the end, I just didn’t find myself caring about their storyline all that much.
❖ I don’t think Wei Liang’s death was really necessary (I cried so much 😭). It would’ve been way more satisfying to see him fight bravely and make it out alive, even if badly injured. His death, like Da Qiao’s, felt more like a plot device to add extra drama rather than something that truly served the story.
₊˚⊹♡ Final thoughts:
❖ This drama was so worth watching—definitely one of the best I’ve seen this year. It strikes such a good balance between character development, swoon-worthy romance, and a mix of suspense, heartache, and comedy. I haven’t read the novel it’s based on yet, but now I have to. If you’re into emotionally rich stories with complex characters and top-notch chemistry and romance, this one’s for you. Highly recommend!
₊˚⊹♡ Favorite Quotes:
➷ "Fight hatred with kindness."
➷ “Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make its echo endure for generations.”
➷"Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make it echo for generations.”
₊˚⊹♡ What I liked:
❖ I really loved the female lead, Manman. She’s smart, brave, and strong—one of those characters who stays calm under pressure and doesn’t make reckless decisions. A character with charisma and charm. She’s also not the type to be easily influenced by others, which makes her feel grounded and realistic.
❖ As for the male lead, Wei Shao... he definitely starts off as a walking red flag, lol. But once you learn about everything he’s been through, it kind of makes sense. He’s a guy shaped by betrayal and deep emotional wounds, so naturally, he struggles with trust. But what I really liked is how his character grows—he starts to soften thanks to his connection with Manman. Little by little, he lets his guard down, opens up, and learns what it means to love and trust someone again.
❖ I’m such a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope—the tension, the longing, the emotional push-and-pull was Chef’s kiss. This drama handles it so well. The slow-burn buildup between the leads is seriously addictive, and their chemistry is Undeniable. What made it all so satisfying was how natural their evolution felt. They went from enemies to reluctant allies, to people who truly care for each other, and you could feel every step of that journey. They each had their own personal struggles to overcome, and watching them open up and find real connection was beautiful. And omg the kisses! I was left speechless, not gonna lie. There were only two or three scenes, but they *absolutely* set the screen on fire. (〃ﾉωﾉ)
❖ The acting was top-tier. Everyone really brought their characters to life. This was my first time seeing Liu Yu Ning in a drama, and I was so impressed—not just with his performance but with his whole vibe, which totally fit the tone of the story. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work. It was also my first time watching Song Zu Er, and I really liked how she portrayed her character—strong, sincere, and super likeable. The supporting cast was just as amazing; each side character added something special, and they honestly made me laugh and cry.
❖ The villains? Yeah, I hated them. They weren’t just evil for the sake of it; their backstories actually made them feel human and layered. You could understand why they became the way they were, and I always appreciate when a story gives depth to its antagonists. Sure, there were a few things that could’ve been done better, but overall, they worked well in the story.
❖ This drama put me through every emotion. I laughed, I teared up, I screamed at my screen, I kicked the air—it was a full-on emotional rollercoaster and I loved every second of it.
❖ The OST was Amazing. It fits the tone of the story perfectly. My personal favorite is the main track sung by Liu Yu Ning (yes, this man really does it all—sing, act, and even cook 😭). Honestly, I could listen to his voice forever. ♥
❖ The cinematography and costumes were absolutely stunning. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into every scene, and it really shows. The visuals are *chef’s kiss* gorgeous and completely immersive.
₊˚⊹♡ What I didn’t like as much:
❖ There honestly wasn’t much that bothered me, but I do have to say that the political and war-related parts near the end felt a bit rushed. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience for me, but I think a little more time and development in those areas would’ve made things stronger. Just a small thing I noticed!
❖ I wasn’t really sold on Bi Zhi and Qiao Fan’s relationship. Their dynamic just didn’t do much for me, and honestly, I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. I think their characters could’ve been more interesting if they’d been developed a bit better, but in the end, I just didn’t find myself caring about their storyline all that much.
❖ I don’t think Wei Liang’s death was really necessary (I cried so much 😭). It would’ve been way more satisfying to see him fight bravely and make it out alive, even if badly injured. His death, like Da Qiao’s, felt more like a plot device to add extra drama rather than something that truly served the story.
₊˚⊹♡ Final thoughts:
❖ This drama was so worth watching—definitely one of the best I’ve seen this year. It strikes such a good balance between character development, swoon-worthy romance, and a mix of suspense, heartache, and comedy. I haven’t read the novel it’s based on yet, but now I have to. If you’re into emotionally rich stories with complex characters and top-notch chemistry and romance, this one’s for you. Highly recommend!
₊˚⊹♡ Favorite Quotes:
➷ "Fight hatred with kindness."
➷ “Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make its echo endure for generations.”
➷"Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make it echo for generations.”
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