All Filter, No Substance
This drama is super slow burn—bogged down by filler scenes and unnecessary side plots that drag out the pacing and dull what could’ve been a sharper, more engaging drama.
I was initially drawn in by the main leads and the unique premise, but to my surprise, the second leads ended up stealing the show. It feels like they got more screentime and attention than the main couple which I’m not complaining. Their chemistry is stronger, their romance more compelling, and their storyline delivers the kind of classic rom-com charm the main couple lacks.
Where the central romance falls flat is the lack of chemistry and underwhelming character appeal. The male lead’s quirky genius trope is tiresome and his obsessive fixation on each “filtered” version of the female lead—paired with his ice cold treatment of the actual Su Cheng Cheng—makes him hard to root for. Meanwhile, the female lead is defined mostly by her physical strength and ugliness (which she really isn't), without much emotional depth to balance her out. That said, there are some hilarious laugh-out-loud moments between the leads that offer some relief—but in the end, this couple probably would’ve worked better as friends than lovers.
The show really should’ve ended at episode 29, but instead throws in a random subplot out of nowhere focused (again) on the second leads. I usually welcome a few final episodes to wrap things up, but this felt like a detour to a dead end.
For a drama set in the beauty and fashion industry, the styling is bland and the OST is forgettable. The one bright spot is the production quality—especially the CGI and filter effects, which are creative, polished, and visually consistent. It’s just a shame the storytelling and buildup doesn’t match the visual flair.
I was initially drawn in by the main leads and the unique premise, but to my surprise, the second leads ended up stealing the show. It feels like they got more screentime and attention than the main couple which I’m not complaining. Their chemistry is stronger, their romance more compelling, and their storyline delivers the kind of classic rom-com charm the main couple lacks.
Where the central romance falls flat is the lack of chemistry and underwhelming character appeal. The male lead’s quirky genius trope is tiresome and his obsessive fixation on each “filtered” version of the female lead—paired with his ice cold treatment of the actual Su Cheng Cheng—makes him hard to root for. Meanwhile, the female lead is defined mostly by her physical strength and ugliness (which she really isn't), without much emotional depth to balance her out. That said, there are some hilarious laugh-out-loud moments between the leads that offer some relief—but in the end, this couple probably would’ve worked better as friends than lovers.
The show really should’ve ended at episode 29, but instead throws in a random subplot out of nowhere focused (again) on the second leads. I usually welcome a few final episodes to wrap things up, but this felt like a detour to a dead end.
For a drama set in the beauty and fashion industry, the styling is bland and the OST is forgettable. The one bright spot is the production quality—especially the CGI and filter effects, which are creative, polished, and visually consistent. It’s just a shame the storytelling and buildup doesn’t match the visual flair.
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