Charlie C

Kinda lives up to the hype, kinda

My Gosh was I bombarded with this series everywhere on the net that one night I gave in.

1. The good:
- Likeable and lively FL, especially in her natural habitat a.k.a. her village. Interesting back story of her being a butcher lady too.
- The child actors are adorbs! Sometimes they act way beyond their ages though, which is stereotypical in dramas. So I think of these instances as: writers letting their imagination running freaking wild.
- The veteran actors, including the uncle and aunty, the busybody granny, the foster father/shifu, the emperor.
- Lin Mu Ran's crazy, sadistic prince character was entertaining. He has potentials.
- Yan Yi Kuan (cry). I think of his character not as an antagonist but an antihero. [SPOILERS] Did his actions lead to a lot of suffering and deaths? Yes. Was he push into it by shitty power? Yes. Could he have done it differently? Yes. But then it wouldn't be an Asian thing of non-communicative but caring parent (figure) any further. Also, it makes it poignant, his character and his storyline. The only sympathetic and sympathiseable bad guy in the series. (I also shuddered at the thought many dramas have characters like him. Those who sacrificed everything and gave their lives to serve their countries and people, only to get death sentences - extendable to their extended families - by a single choice/decision or even at the whim of the higher-ups.)
- The music highlights the heart-warming, romantic and lively scenes well.
- The COMEDY always hits the right notes with this one.

2. The bad:
- Quality drops gradually. The first arc was enjoyable. The middle arc was muddy and dragging, with Lin Mu Ran being the highlight. The last couple episodes were saved by Yan Yi Kuan.
- Lacks focuses.

3. The delusional:
- The overly emphasis on the ML's looks/handsomeness. They not only say it but use every chance to highlight it in the makeup and costumes. I'm sick of it. (But not to the point of hating him. I think his online hate is just as toxic as his fans glazing his supposed "beauty".)
- The superhuman abilities of Gary Sue and Mary Sue:
[SPOILERS]
ML: Clearly doesn't shoot a bow. But every time he shoots, even with three freaking arrows, he never misses. He is the most feared general but hardly does any planning or strategising. Even his combat is mostly non-proven.
FL: She freaking kills two of the most veteran and strongest generals/warriors of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. She has never worn amour before, but as soon as she dons one, she moves like the wind (okay, fine, like usual). She breaks rules, acts recklessly but, by the power vested in plot amours, everything ALWAYS turns out well and swell.
Both 20-something to early 30s main characters become super important political figures, for whatever the plot reasons, in the court of a 9-year-old emperor with a 20-something restauranteur/entertainment venue owner mother being behind him. These three don't have any backgrounds, knowledge, track records or even show the slightest of learning about the serious business that is the court life. They are not qualified. The freaking country is doomed from the start.
- Simp-and-limp male characters.
- Kids not being kids.

4. The horrible:
- The last bait I took was Qi Min. He was paraded everywhere online. I got intrigued of people painting him as a sad, pitiable secondary character with a tragic love story...
[SPOILERS]
Oh, hell no, it's not a love story at all! Why and how did they decide to fantasise this abusive, mentally disturbed and clearly needed help, obsessive rapist/kidnapper/murderer and his Stockholm's syndrome victim? It's disgusting and I need therapy.

Conclusion: Funny (again, the comedy of this series is on-point) with a good start but can be uneven, delusional and absolutely questionable.

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I tend to stay away from Japanese films and series because of their pacing. But such pacing fits "Nobuta wo Produce" completely and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though it's a bit bittersweet at the end, it's well-written, well-acted with strong, encouraging messages on individuality, conformity, social pressure, acceptance and friendship for youth and adults alike.

I believe this story will continue to resonate with many people no matter where and when.

Long live Shuji, Akari and Nobuko. May we be blessed with some sort of surprise cameo appearance or kind of reunion in the future haha.

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Still visually beautiful but takes a freaking nosedive in quality

I was so eager to finish this story. But it bored me to tears that I skipped nonstop. What the heck?!

1. The good:
- The visuals.
- The effortful and mindful Tang elements.

2. The heck:
- FL turned into a Mary Sue. She had Mary Sue's tendencies, but she turned full-on Mary Sue this season with plot armours as thick as the makeup of this whole cast combined! FL can do no wrong. She is smarter, braver, savvier than anyone. [SPOILERS] She needs no saving. Actually, she can save anyone just as she can expand her businesses endlessly and successfully. She's boring.
- ML is kind of a companion but somewhat a simp for the FL also. I have little to no memories of him.
- I don't get the "will they won't they" here. The romantic tension dies down as the season progresses.

3. The bad:
- Wasted potentials on the ex-husband.
- The county princess and her father turned into caricatures of lazily written villains.
- The female empowerment message turned into performative wokeness and propaganda.
- Uninteresting side characters and storylines.
- Flimsy tensions. No real stakes.
- Writing quality drops to hell.

Conclusion: Pretty much a waste of expectations, time and potentials. At least it concluded.

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Visually beautiful with a good script

Got pulled in because of a friend raving about its visual and efforts in bringing out accurate beauties and customs from the Tang Dynasty. Friend was right.

1. The good:
- Visually stunning. The colour templates. The costumes. The set designs and props. The cinematography.
- Mindful and interesting showcases of some of Tang customs, decorations, etc.
- Well-intended and well-executed female empowerment message.
- The comedy. The goofiness of the two leads.
- The acting.
- The flowers.

2. The divisive:
- I think Wu Niang's arc was one of the best in this series. [SPOILERS] For me, her storyline can be a representative to traumatised victims in abusive relationships. She could be saved but decided to burned everything, including herself, to the ground. It's poignant. It's also realistic how victims can be turned into abusers/criminals. I so wanted her to live a good life with Mu Dan. But the vicious cycle didn't spare her. This can serve as a cautionary tale. On the other hand, it could have been a tale of raising above all else. This series decided on the former.

3. The eh...?
- Tang Dynasty was one of the most prosperous eras in Chinese history with open commerce and trading. The series tries to have diversity. But it didn't feel that diverse... just yet.
- I'm all for feminism and female empowerment. But the effort in female cross-dressing in this series is low. [SPOILERS] I can see drawn-on mustaches on cross-dressing female background characters quite blatantly. Like, what's the point?

4. The potentials:
- Since this is the first part. I think it will be interesting to see what the ML actually does in court and the court war in the following season.
- I'd love for the ex-husband character to have more storylines too. Not just him whining and being hopeless and delusional about his imaginary connection with the FL. I want to see him turn evil and wreck havoc for the leads, the county princess and her asshole father. This series is too calm. It desparately needs proper tensions.

Conclusion: Commendable costume series with potentials for an even better second season.

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Thai-centric, faithful but modernised adaptation of the manga

The manga is a classic. Most, if not all, adaptations of it have been hugely popular since the 2001 Taiwaness series. I have read the manga series a couple of time but I have not finish a single adaptation until this one. And...

1. The good:
- It's faithful. Many of the main plot points are well-kept. The portrayals are also straight up their manga counterparts.
- For me, Dew as Ren is the best Rui yet with good expressions and understanding of the character. Even his height and him being the tallest in the group add small but good details. I'm not sure about his voice though since I don't know Thai. Voice acting can play a significant part in characterisation. Somehow it feels somewhat lacking here?
- Akira is less prominent compared to the other F4. But his extra story has always stuck with me. So for this series to expand and place an importance on him as the "glue" of the group and the one who holds everyone together: seriously, good job! I remember MJ wearing moon brochure or some sort of jewel too, which is a nod to Akira being compared to the moon, gently watching over the whole group. I didn't watch the add-on story of him and the basketball girl, so no comment.
- It adapts. It isn't a play by play. It updates the story with modern youth problems and make it relevant not just to Thai society but broader.
- Compared to Yuuki in the manga and Gaeul in "Boys Over Flowers", I find the character of Kaning here adorable and much more likable. She actually puts efforts into helping Kavin and doesn't pine for him. Maybe it also helps that the actress is very pretty.
- I enjoy Tu's portrayal of Gorya. She is charming, cute and bubbly. I have read people complaining about her screaming on the rooftop. I didn't mind that one bit.
- I like the new addition of Gorya and Kaning working part-time and having fun with the uncle owner of the flower shop. The uncle is charming.
- I feel a bit bad about Lita's storyline though. I fell in love with her character here. Wish she had some more to play after her arc concluded. But if she stayed any longer, she would be too distracting to the main cast.
- The song "In the Wind" fits Ren and Ren/Gorya scenes to a tee.

2. The so-so:
- I didn't like Ki Bum's portrayal of Yi Jung or even Sojirou in the manga. But Kavin here is alright. The pairing of Kavin and Kaning also makes sense and cute.
- Thyme is stereotypically Tsukasa. Still pretty crazy and violent but caring and puppy-like. Better than Gu Jun Pyo. Okayish when it comes to manga Tsukasa.
- The parents are still annoying AF. But I guarantee, less than the manga...
- Tsukasa's sister and Shizuka receiving less attention here is a good thing. More focus on the main characters and stories. This series is only 16 episode, very compact.
- I have a love/hate feeling towards Thyme's mother. Cindy is stunning in person and ruthless in this role. She is better than any of the predecessors. She feels so right. But, the script snaps off her villain development. It didn't make sense. It wasted a good actress that if given better writing and development, her character might surpass even the manga's. As in, she has been a cunning and heartless businesswoman whose entire life has prioritised her family's empire above all, even her children, she can't possibly turn around with just Thyme suffering and lovesickness in the final episodes. He suffered so many times before, what makes this any different than the last? At least give some insights and explainations.
- Talay has a memorable arc and a fitting conclusion to the school bullying/violence reflection in society. I think his episode has the best view. But it's a bit too dramatised the acting for me. Good intentions, could benefit from better execution from the whole production.

3. The bad:
- Thyme turning from a playboy (as in he plays around a lot, not fooling around with women) to a successful young businessman after a year? Was he a CEO? VP? Habits die hard. People need years. No investors or board members would bat an eye at the sight of a pampered rich kid. It's their money, capitals and profits. Without good explanation, it's just pure fantasy.
- Decline in quality in the last arc of the story aka Gorya running away, Thyme gave up, Thyme suffering memory loss, etc.
- I don't buy any of that rich kids trying to change the world. Most likely, a gloss-over and oversimplification for younger audience.
- I still don't buy the troupes of "I can change him" or "with you in my life, I've changed". It's still contrived.

4. The fun:
- Plenty of comedy.
- The blatant commercials and product placements LOL.

Conclusion: Actually good and proper adaptation that falters somewhat towards the end. But still good.

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Watched thrice and still bitter about it

I wanted to like this series A LOT. "Chang Ge Xing" is possibly my favourite manhua, still to this moment. But I couldn't, no matter how much I tried a.k.a. three-freaking-times!

1. The good:
- The OST no doubt. What a goated OST.
- The first episode is likely one of the best first episodes I've seen. The character introductions (albeit with many changes from the manhua), the exhilarating sepak takraw match, the costumes, the sets, all.
- The best acting scene goes to Wu Lei [SPOILER] when his foster mother was killed. That and the first episode were non-skips.

2. The alright:
- The characters of Yong An and Hao Du, both new and extended characters from the manhua. In my first viewing, their journeys, separate and together, are easier to watch and pay attention to. Because it's simpler compared to the push-and-shove, tug-and-pull characterisations and storylines of Chang Ge and Ashile Sun. But I don't care about them beyond that first watch.

3. The BITTER:
- The story. I understand the writers made the most out of the source materials. They seemed to have a lot of love and respect for Xia Da too. But damn was the whole thing butchered.
One of the driving forces of the manhua is the conflict of identities, especially ethnics of Chang Ge and Sun. Unfortunately, the ethnic diversity is superficial and completely washed here.
- The characterisation. For a story as intricate as "Chang Ge Xing" to work, it must be developed gradually and in focus. By parading a bunch of characters and creating new storylines for the supporting-but-important-commerical cast, it fails miserably. It's clear as day, when main characters got pushed aside and received less attention from viewers than the secondary ones. In my first viewing, I dropped as Chang Ge gets into the nunnery.
- Chang Ge and Sun. Bloody hell, Dilireba and Wu Lei butchered my beloved characters.
Dilireba might have been a good cast, given her Uyghur ethnicity. But she doesn't look the part of Chang Ge (cry), barely gave any acting if at all to save her life (cry), even her figure and acting dead-gave away she was a girl (cry). They made Chang Ge character sooooo unlikable, self-centered and inconsiderate (even as a strategist, you have to be able to consider to plan and strategise). Cry.
Wu Lei looks ridiculous in costumes that aren't Tang, including his wig and his battle armour. It doesn't help that his physique is like most every other Chinese commercial actors. In the manhua, Sun has an imposing presence and endless charisma (earned at that). Even though he is young he is a seasoned warrior and highly respected leader, regarded as the "god of war". I don't see any of that in Wu Lei. But at least, he gave that emotionally violent and gut-wrenching highlight of a scene.

To be fair, I think, those who don't know/read the manhua might like this series (more). But even when I tried to detach it from its source material, it was still such a jumble-mumble of bad story-telling.

Conclusion: Bitter. Wasted. Dead.

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A good supernatual, detective, costume, arc-series first season

It's been a while since I found a good series in this particularly category. Reminds me a bit of "Justice Bao". How I used to love "Justice Bao" when I was younger.

1. The good:
- The stories are interesting and full of mysteries. One arc/story consists of several episodes that gives time for story-telling and -development. Different arcs offer different tastes and feels.
- The characters are well-introduced and -developed throughout the season. Even the side characters are memorable and well-acted.
- The choreography, the set designs, the visual effects, the world-building.

2. The so-so:
- I don't remember any OST from this. But I think the music serves its purpose and deliver good viewing experience.

3. The bad:
- Nothing I can think of really. Maybe its rewatchable value? Maybe after I have forgotten about it? But I can just remember the main plots immediately (cue: it's memorable). Rewatching will definitely lessen the thrills and excitement.

4. The ugly:
- Be warned of the following seasons.

Conclusion: Solid series that stands on its own. (No wonder iQiyi keeps on pumping out season after season. It's basically a staple, everyone-pleaser there.)

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Surprisingly good plot in the first half

I have been craving for a good costume Chinese drama since ages, but it has been lukewarm or bad. When I discovered this on douban, I thought, well, that seems pretty decent. So after some hesitations, I gave it a try and...

1. The good:
- The plot starts off surprisingly well. It has proper and intriguing storyline and characters that keeps me clicking "next episode" one after another.
- The older side characters are all veteran actors. Like most dramas, they are usually the better/best parts when it comes to acting.
- I like the brother and sister twins. The sister twins are pretty, dare I say than most everyone else. But I don't think they'll do much acting outside of this project, shame.
- Very good cinematography (especially the first episode with all those viral clips) and set designs. Costumes are also adequate and suitable.
- It doesn't focus on overpowering the FL or dumbing down/simping the ML. It explains and develops these characters to a certain degree of success. Honestly, I'm tired of perfect Mary Sue and Gary Sue archetypes in a lot of East Asian dramas.

2. The so-so:
- The acting of the leads: kind of poor. They seem wooden and constricted. Because of this, they create unnecessary emphasis on the characters' looks, which I don't find pleasing. They're saved by how fitting they are to the characters.
The FL looks ghastly and scary at times. Her emotions are limited.
The ML acts well in fight scenes, but one-two dimensional in most others; he tries to act cold, ruthless, tough, uncaring unsuccessfully.
Sweet moments between these two are just okay. So I don't get their online shippers' hype. But I must say, on a regular basis, they have a good, healthy relationship of two people who love and respect each other and enjoy their companionship.
- Ji Yong could have been a better, more memorable character.

3. The bad:
Plot goes downhill around episode 20 with needless minor details and unexplained motivations [SPOILERS] (ie. Song Mo's deadbeat-dad is just ass; Song Han is unusually detached from his brother's misery and attached to his shit-father).
The first few episodes make the main villain so interesting. But a big bad is never developed, which cripples the story.
Got me real annoyed and skipping a buttload until I decided to just leave it there and read the rest of the plot online. Maybe I'll do as suggested here and watch the final episode.

Conclusion: Kind of an eyecandy, wasted potentials.

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It goes downhill from here

Such a fan of the first season. Went in flabbergasted with most of the main characters' developments. Dropped at the last arc.

1. The good:
- Most of the stories are intriguing and thrilling.
- The acting is still solid across the board, including the guest stars. Pei Xi Jun becomes even more likeable.
Memorable arc characters included: The Coroner, Dugu Xia Shu (probably my favourite fumbling character of this series), Coroner's wife and mother, Hermit in Mo's Inn (suited Li Wen Han to a tee), Song A Mi, Shi Zi Xun (for the ridiculousness of this character and story), and Yunding's crazy cult leader.
- iQiyi's budget increase is so obvious with this production value.
- Good team dynamic.

2. The bad:
- The writing is uneven. Some stories are exciting, some are drags.
- I stopped caring about the series as it progressed and couldn't tolerate it any longer towards the end. I dropped the last story.
- The characters' gradual assassinations: Sun Wu Ming becomes a morally grey half-ass with debatable intelligence and detective skills. Ying Dao has nothing going on.

3. The ridiculous:
- The superhuman Lu Ling Feng. His HP recovering rate in season one raised my eyebrows, but still acceptable. But this season, my god.
- The overreaction and holier-than-thou attitudes of the royals.
- The child actors and characters acting prodigal and unchild-like (last arc).
- The Rhino pretty-boy, overly-confident, manipulative sect commander who also has superhuman abilities like Lu Ling Feng. The scenes of these two muscleheads are also ridic.
- The god of medicine who can cure anything Fei Qiao. (Still a likeable comedic source.)

Anyway...
- Favourite: Coroner's Death
- Good: Mara's Defeat, Drunk in Yunding
- 50/50: Mo's Inn in the Snowstorm, Rhino, Shangxianfang Letter
- Skipped: Qianzhong Dock, The Provider

Conclusion: Positive-to-mixed

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I tried. It failed.

Pretty privilege is real. I watched this all because Dilireba is so pretty. (Chen Feiyu, on the other hand, somehow, gives me all the icks because of how much he looks like Wu Yifan. Their looks are popular, I guess. Reading his and his family's dramas doesn't help either.)
Back to Dilireba, because she's so pretty, deep down, I really wanted her to have a decent acting project. And...

1. The good:
- The cinematography.
- The set designs.
- The costumes.
- Feng Yi. Yes, the acting is so-so. But his character stood out to me. I found myself looking forward to his scenes. I even read parts of the novels with him in it.
- Liu Yuning's song. And that "Ai Cunzai" douyin from Dilireba.
- I discovered the online community (and discourses) of Chinese drama viewers! It's full of dramas. So many new words and jargon. The majority of the fans are blindly diehard. Most of the anti fans are beyond foul-mouthed and toxic. Constant data reporting, ranking, comparing, glazing, keyboard fighting, dragging, and juvenille competing. I love being a spectator to all of it!

2. The bad:
- One-dimensional Wei Zhe Ming. Why they love to cast him or give him projects where he plays the obsessive but one-track minded male character is beyond me. He could have played a decent, motivated villain that ultimately fell from grace. But nope, commercialised dramas are lazy.
- Another Mary Sue x Gary Sue that left me wanting to root for no one, but an imaginary villain/ess. Stereotypical Dilireba.
- It gets progressively worse as I've seen from online reactions.

3. The ugly:
- The acting. My God.
As long as Dilireba continues with one-dimensional, flower vase, Mary Sue projects like this, she'll never be known for anything but her looks. Maybe that's what she aims for.
Chen Feiyu's acting is mostly neck-to-neck with Dilireba: superficial and cringy. I always expect nothing from a typical idol-drama OP "military general" because I'm always given nothing. Wait, I had a few chuckles reading comments saying how bad-ass and genius his fight scenes in episode 7 or 8 were. I like how we all have different perspectives.
- The plot and the characterisation. Yikes.
Maybe this is the reason why the acting is so bad because the plot and the characters have nothing going on. Maybe both Dilireba and Chen Feiyu aced their performances based on the script they were given.
I found it most amusing that fans of Dilireba, Chen Feiyu and the series went on great lengths to write and explain the plot, the characters, the symbolism, the set designs, etc. Only to prove how badly this series failed to delivery any of those aspects.

Conclusion: Empty eyecandy.

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I need to finish this series!

1. The good:
- What a fresh take on Justice Bao and the gang!
- It's hilarious!
- It doesn't take itself seriously.
- Bao Zheng! Bao Zheng's moon scar is like that of Sailor Moon! Bao Zheng's henshin LMAO. Bao Zheng being an unabashed fanboy/idol chaser!
- Gongsun Ce mothering, fathering and getting violent with everyone there LOL. He's such a contrast to the calm, gentle Gongsun Ce in the original series.
- I'll only accept Kenny Ho, Yan Yi Kuan and Ian Yi as Zhan Zhao. This version, he is such a cat.
- Bai Yu Tang is a great addition to the story! His dynamic with Zhan Zhao rivals that of...
- Pang Ji and Bao Zheng!
- Pang Ji as a flamboyant flower boy is everything. He went from the loathsome original to such a baby boy here.
- Even Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, Wang Chao, Ma Han are their own persons here! In previous series, they simply stood guarding and doing menial tasks. Justice indeed.
- It actually has good stories and cases. I'm just too distracted with its unseriousness and goofiness.

2. The sad:
- For some reasons, I haven't finished this series. Have I been afraid of shelving something this crazy good and hilarious?
- I remember the some of the female characters... don't look good at all.
- It isn't popular or widely available online ;_; People need laughters in their lives... need this series.
- I read SPOILERS that Pang Ji and Bao Zheng will stop being frienemies at the end.... Noooooo, their dynamic is amazing. Maybe cannot watch anymore because of this SE.

Conclusion: Great, daring comedy of Justice Bao and co.

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