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This review may contain spoilers
A story with charming romance, but with a potential that was not fully explored.
> SYNOPSIS: Mr. Bad is a romantic comedy with a touch of fantasy that tells the story of Nan Xing, a young writer who created an online novel with the protagonist Lu Zi Chen, inspired by her idol, and the antagonist Xiao Wu Di, a cunning and manipulative martial arts master. Although Nan Xing writes online stories, her biggest dream at that moment was to work at X-Culture as Lu Zi Chen’s assistant. After a job interview, she makes a wish at a fountain for an "unforgettable love'. To her surprise, Xiao Wu Di, the arrogant villain she created, appears in the real world. What starts as a chaotic situation turns into an unexpected cohabitation. As Xiao Wu Di adjusts to human life, Nan Xing begins to realize that her villain isn’t as bad as she once thought and love starts to blossom between them.
> POSITIVE POINTS:
1. Chemistry between the leads: The real charm of Mr. Bad, in my opinion, lies in the relationship between Nan Xing (Shen Yue) and Xiao Wu Di (Chen Zhe Yuan). The two built a chemistry full of charisma, warmth, and sweetness. Their romance isn’t rushed, it develops gradually and naturally. It’s not an intense or fiery chemistry, but rather a balanced mix of tension, humor, and affection. Shen Yue brought all the cuteness and naivety her character needed, while Chen Zhe Yuan impressed with his transformation from a self-centered, egotistical character into someone protective and deeply in love. Their playful banter, subtle glances, and light-hearted moments helped shape a fun dynamic for the story.
2. Mother-daughter relationship: The relationship between Nan Xing and her mother, An Ni Na, was a refreshing element in the drama. Their bond was healthy, filled with mutual support, respect, and genuine affection (something not always common in dramas where family conflicts often take center stage). As the episodes unfold, we discover that An Ni Na isn’t Nan Xing’s biological mother, and that their shared past involves a deep trauma, still, their connection is strong. They live together in harmony, building a relationship based on love and trust, not blood. It’s a beautiful portrayal of family, free from excessive drama and full of gentle, sincere love.
3. Comforting plot: Despite the fantastical element of a fictional villain coming to life, the drama chooses a soft and sweet tone. The conflicts are light, with no major twists, and the episodes are filled with everyday moments that bring a sense of comfort. It’s the kind of drama that doesn’t demand much from the viewer, as there are no intense or dramatic tensions.
> CONTRAPOINTS:
1. Underdeveloped second couple: One of the more noticeable flaws in Mr. Bad is how the secondary characters, especially Lu Zi Chen and Ye Qing, are handled. As the second couple, their dynamic just didn’t click for me. Even though they had a decent amount of screen time and their storyline was coherent, their relationship lacked emotional depth. Their chemistry never truly sparked. Ye Qing is a charming character (strong, intelligent, and quick-witted), but Lu Zi Chen comes off as immature for much of the drama. His lack of drive makes their romance feel flat. Although the other supporting characters weren’t deeply explored, I felt they fulfilled their roles well and were satisfying within the context of the story.
2. Interesting themes that were underused:
- Literary villain comes to life: The premise of Xiao Wu Di emerging from a fictional universe and coming to life in the real world opens the door to unusual situations and deeper reflections—such as the contrast between different logics, language barriers, differing values, and the clash between fantasy and reality. However, this concept is explored more comically in the early episodes and is eventually set aside. Although the drama justifies his quick adaptation through his photographic memory and above-average intelligence, the script fails to invest in more meaningful development. It would have been interesting to follow more closely his process of dealing with human emotions, cultural differences, and the search for identity, as it would have greatly enriched the narrative. The only moment that brings this reflection between fiction and reality for Xiao Wu Di is when he discovers that he was created by Nan Xing. This moment, filled with impact and inner conflict, was one of the story’s strongest points.
- Mao Xiao Jun’s role and Nan Xing’s trauma: Mao Xiao Jun's presence, though subtle at first, becomes crucial as the drama progresses. He was Nan Xing's childhood friend and first love, who died in a fire while saving her. Since then, Nan Xing has suffered from trauma and panic at the sight of flames. The turning point comes when Xiao Wu Di discovers that he wasn’t brought into the real world solely by Nan Xing’s romantic wish, but also to help her heal. He was created with the essence and characteristics of Mao Xiao Jun, becoming a symbolic bridge between Nan Xing's painful past and her emotional recovery. This connection adds beautiful emotional depth, but it was underexplored. Considering the powerful themes of grief, guilt, healing, and love beyond loss, this storyline deserved more screen time and a more delicate development.
> OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Mr. Bad is a sweet drama that wins hearts through the charming chemistry of its main couple. The emotional warmth of the mother-daughter relationship adds depth, and the cozy storytelling makes it perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing watch. While it doesn’t fully deliver on the potential of its more ambitious concepts, it still provides a delightful and comforting experience. My rating: 8.5/10.
> POSITIVE POINTS:
1. Chemistry between the leads: The real charm of Mr. Bad, in my opinion, lies in the relationship between Nan Xing (Shen Yue) and Xiao Wu Di (Chen Zhe Yuan). The two built a chemistry full of charisma, warmth, and sweetness. Their romance isn’t rushed, it develops gradually and naturally. It’s not an intense or fiery chemistry, but rather a balanced mix of tension, humor, and affection. Shen Yue brought all the cuteness and naivety her character needed, while Chen Zhe Yuan impressed with his transformation from a self-centered, egotistical character into someone protective and deeply in love. Their playful banter, subtle glances, and light-hearted moments helped shape a fun dynamic for the story.
2. Mother-daughter relationship: The relationship between Nan Xing and her mother, An Ni Na, was a refreshing element in the drama. Their bond was healthy, filled with mutual support, respect, and genuine affection (something not always common in dramas where family conflicts often take center stage). As the episodes unfold, we discover that An Ni Na isn’t Nan Xing’s biological mother, and that their shared past involves a deep trauma, still, their connection is strong. They live together in harmony, building a relationship based on love and trust, not blood. It’s a beautiful portrayal of family, free from excessive drama and full of gentle, sincere love.
3. Comforting plot: Despite the fantastical element of a fictional villain coming to life, the drama chooses a soft and sweet tone. The conflicts are light, with no major twists, and the episodes are filled with everyday moments that bring a sense of comfort. It’s the kind of drama that doesn’t demand much from the viewer, as there are no intense or dramatic tensions.
> CONTRAPOINTS:
1. Underdeveloped second couple: One of the more noticeable flaws in Mr. Bad is how the secondary characters, especially Lu Zi Chen and Ye Qing, are handled. As the second couple, their dynamic just didn’t click for me. Even though they had a decent amount of screen time and their storyline was coherent, their relationship lacked emotional depth. Their chemistry never truly sparked. Ye Qing is a charming character (strong, intelligent, and quick-witted), but Lu Zi Chen comes off as immature for much of the drama. His lack of drive makes their romance feel flat. Although the other supporting characters weren’t deeply explored, I felt they fulfilled their roles well and were satisfying within the context of the story.
2. Interesting themes that were underused:
- Literary villain comes to life: The premise of Xiao Wu Di emerging from a fictional universe and coming to life in the real world opens the door to unusual situations and deeper reflections—such as the contrast between different logics, language barriers, differing values, and the clash between fantasy and reality. However, this concept is explored more comically in the early episodes and is eventually set aside. Although the drama justifies his quick adaptation through his photographic memory and above-average intelligence, the script fails to invest in more meaningful development. It would have been interesting to follow more closely his process of dealing with human emotions, cultural differences, and the search for identity, as it would have greatly enriched the narrative. The only moment that brings this reflection between fiction and reality for Xiao Wu Di is when he discovers that he was created by Nan Xing. This moment, filled with impact and inner conflict, was one of the story’s strongest points.
- Mao Xiao Jun’s role and Nan Xing’s trauma: Mao Xiao Jun's presence, though subtle at first, becomes crucial as the drama progresses. He was Nan Xing's childhood friend and first love, who died in a fire while saving her. Since then, Nan Xing has suffered from trauma and panic at the sight of flames. The turning point comes when Xiao Wu Di discovers that he wasn’t brought into the real world solely by Nan Xing’s romantic wish, but also to help her heal. He was created with the essence and characteristics of Mao Xiao Jun, becoming a symbolic bridge between Nan Xing's painful past and her emotional recovery. This connection adds beautiful emotional depth, but it was underexplored. Considering the powerful themes of grief, guilt, healing, and love beyond loss, this storyline deserved more screen time and a more delicate development.
> OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Mr. Bad is a sweet drama that wins hearts through the charming chemistry of its main couple. The emotional warmth of the mother-daughter relationship adds depth, and the cozy storytelling makes it perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing watch. While it doesn’t fully deliver on the potential of its more ambitious concepts, it still provides a delightful and comforting experience. My rating: 8.5/10.
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