emberzmars

Match made by grandpa but identities kept hidden

I became a fan of Li Zi Jie when I watched his drama with Zhang Jinyi. The high views for this drama prompted me to watch it. Oh nice to see Jadie Jia as his leading lady.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Both Li Zi Jie & Jadie Jia were great in their roles. Li Zi Jie so damn handsome in this drama, thanks to the stylist.
2. Romance - Damn, the first scene was 🔥! They got off poorly the morning after & it turned out FL was ML's new employee. I enjoyed their romance development. Their kisses are steamy and there were sweet moments too.
3. FL characterisation - She was smart as she never felt intimidated by ML nor SFL.
4. Supporting characters - I like FL's chief assistant, ML's grandpa & his assistant.

What I disliked:
1. Bullying - SFL & her colleagues gang up on FL. SFL was also condescending.

Favourite scene
When ML took FL to hospital

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FL fitting as ballerina, sweet romance

I saw clips of this drama on my Youtube shorts. As I clicked play, this drama's plot seemed familiar to me as I recognised the names of FL, ML, FL's ex and FL's occupation. This is the second version of the plot that I have watched version. The other version starred Wang Xin and Lei Xiaomi.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Wang Xiaoyi, who played FL, looked beautiful in several outfits in particular red dress & traditional outfit that she wore for dancing. I also like the tracksuits. Wang Nan with silver hair looked like anime character - that was cool moment which reminds me of Lighter & Princess.
2. Ballet - I love the scenes where FL danced ballet. Wang Xiaoyi was graceful & elegant.
3. Romance - Sweet romance. Milder intimate scenes compared to Wang Xin-Lei Xiaomi version.

What I disliked:
1. Variety show - There was a solo female contestant in the variety show. It made the show imbalanced.
2. Duration - This drama's duration is 1 hour 45 minutes. I wish drama was at least 2 hours because I wanted to see more romantic scenes.

Favourite scene
FL dancing ballet

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Wang Yi Ran excelled in this soul swapped romcom

I love Secret Love at 30,000 feet so I searched for other dramas that have both Wang Yi Ran & Hong Cheng Yue. Decided to watch this drama after a watching revenge-heavy vertical drama. This drama is entertaining!

What I liked:
1. Comedy - OMG the comedic parts were hilarious. I was pleasantly surprised by Wang Yi Ran's acting as I've only watched him in dramatic roles. Hong Cheng Yue & actor who played ML's assistant were good too!
2. Romance - It's a nice, sweet build up from '2 strangers stuck in same predicament' to 'partners in "crime" and eventually in life'.
3. Supporting characters - I like ML's assistant, FL's close colleague & ML's mother. I kinda like FL's crush even though he had short screentime. He was an eyecandy.
4. Ending - It's not original as I've seen same ending being used in other vertical dramas. Nevertheless it is a funny yet touching ending.

What I disliked:
1. Product placement - I found it amusing than dislike. I was laughing when the brand made appearance at the couple's romantic dinner at a restaurant.
2. Fangirls - Gosh Mr Fu has many self-proclaimed fiancées. The head fangirl is delulu & cruel!
3. Gossipmongers - Public shaming is popular trope in vertical dramas but gosh one particular scene baffled me. FL, head fangirl & their colleagues were having a meeting with a client & head fangirl accused FL of purposely losing client's deck. There were 2 colleagues that joined in the bashing. That's shameful because in real life, internal conflict shouldn't be made public because that behaviour would give negative image of a company to a client.

Favourite scene
When ML asked his assistant for love advice. Assistant really worked hard on it!

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Funny & fluffy romcom

I am a massive fan of Zhen Zi Qi. I have watched him act alongside Jadie Jia so I kinda know what to expect from this drama.

What I liked:
1. Comedy - The comedic bits were led by Jadie Jia. Romcom is definitely her forte.
2. Childhood flashbacks - Omg younger ML & younger FL were so adorable. You'll understand the crush when you watch the flashbacks though I think ML should have a harder crush on FL.
3. Romance - I like that FL took initative at the start of their entanglement. Sweet romance followed suit - I really liked ML caring for FL almost at the end of the drama.
4. Supporting characters - I like the FL's bestie, her younger brother, ML's assistant & FL's mother.

What I disliked:
1. Villains - It sucks that there was an impersonator.

Favourite scene
When ML cared for feverish FL

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Smitten by FL right from the first meet...who wouldn't?

I am so delighted to have found this MDL page because I love this drama. I watched the drama on 31 December 2024 & have been watching it repeatedly ever since. This is my first time watching the work of Zhang Jin Yi & Lu Huan Yu.

What I liked:
1. Shen Mu characterisation - OMG she was delightful to watch. Intelligent, witty, kickass FL who is secretly a girlboss.
2. Romance - It's wonderful to see ML smitten by FL right from the first meet. What a meet cute! Their intimate scenes were extremely hot. I also enjoyed their flirting.
3. Acting - Sizzling chemistry between Zhang Jin Yi & Lu Huan Yu made me giddy throughout the drama. Zhang Jin Yi was excellent in this role! Lu Huan Yu gave a good performance as a smitten CEO.
4. Supporting characters - I love the ML's assistant - he is always cast whenever both Zhang Jin Yi & Lu Huan Yu are together in a drama. I also like FL's right hand man. The grandma was cheeky. I didn't like ML's sis at first but it's great to see her growth even with limited screentime.

What I disliked:
1. Stimulants - I dislike that aphrodisiac & drugs were the catalyst to both intimate scenes.
2. Bullying - It sucks that bullying was done in public but no one stepped in to stop the incident.
3. FL's family - Just despicable.

Favourite scene
The second intimate scene

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Sweet romance

I decided to watch this series because of Li Sheng Jie. I enjoyed his performance in a drama with Zhao Zaoer.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I like that both FL & ML did the wooing. The flirting & banter between them were sweet & adorable. It's wonderful to see FL wanting to go further in the relationship and making the moves.
2. FL characterisation - I enjoyed watching the growth of FL. She became more confident & comfortable with herself. It's great seeing her being firm with the guy whom she used to have feelings for.
3. ML characterisation - I like how his character was written. He's edgy but a sweetheart. I also like how he confronted SML about the harassment.
4. Supporting characters - I like the besties of both FL & ML. They're fun when four of them hang out.

What I disliked:
1. SML - It's frustrating to see a guy who refused to accept reality. I don't understand why writer chose to wrap up his character that way. The actor was handsome & had good facial expressions.

Favourite scene
When FL making the moves on ML

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Short tale of female empowerment

I am massive fan of Zhang Chu Xuan. She is good in choosing her roles - never typecast. This drama title in Drama Zone caught my attention.

What I liked:
1. Female empowerment - For a short drama, this drama managed to showcase arcs of 3 empowered women. Instead of giving bad treatment to antagonists, she turned them to friends / allies.
2. Acting - The 3 ladies excelled in their role.
3. Length - Good concise storytelling told in less than an hour.
4. Romance - It was a toxic relationship at first but ML changed his behaviour. He was supportive of her needs. Their kiss at the car was great.

What I disliked:
1. Ending - Actually there isn't anything I dislike about this drama. Something I wish for more is I want more romance between FL & ML.

Favourite scene
When FL gave advice to Sally Xu after listening to Sally's bad marriage

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Enthralling tale of forbidden love with gripping performances

I am a massive fan of Zhen Zi Qi after watching his performance in Sheng Se Quan Ma so I binged his dramas.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Wow, this tale is full of angst and sexual tension. I dislike their dynamics at the start because ML was domineering & condescending. However things changed when FL started to express her feelings for ML. The confession was heartfelt & endearing.
2. Bestie - OMG FL's bestie is awesome. She is protective & respectful of FL. That rooftop cafe scene was heartwarming. The exact embodiment of "chicks before dicks".
3. Acting - Brilliant, gripping performance from Zhen Zi Qi & Quan Rui. Her character is mute but she conveyed her feelings & emotions through facial expressions.
4. Ending - I like how cheeky FL was with her surprise.

What I disliked:
1. Lu Xiao - He invaded FL & ML's privacy & I was shocked by his action. Despicable.
2. ML's characterisation - I dislike him at the start. I don't understand why he didn't want their relationship to be public.

Favourite scene
When FL had one-on-one talk about the hidden camera incident & boat accident

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Does ML deserve second chance in this romance drama?

Lately I am in the mood to binge vertically shot Chinese dramas. This drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard & I gave it a go after quickly perusing the comments.

What I liked:
1) Acting - I was impressed by her acting. She managed to show different sides of Wen Yan: firm, vulnerable and strong. I will definitely check out her other works.
2) Visuals - Chen Mu Ye is very pretty. Wang Yi Ran is handsome. Both of them give this "high society" beauty & elegance.
3) Plot - Depsite the plot holes, this drama was light & easy to follow.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - I notice other C dramas with 'husband neglecting wife for years' theme and this drama is the one with least suffering. While I am ok that the neglect only happened for 1 year, I still think ML is undeserving of FL because is he mistaking guilt for love?
2) Romance - The kissing scenes played around angles rather than real, lingering kisses. Wish there were proper grovelling & more affectionate scenes too.

Favourite scene
When Wen Yan was hospitalised after an assault

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Action-packed mini drama with great chemistry

This mini drama was recommended to me when I was looking for action romance. I was engrossed in the story that I could finish it in one sitting.

What I liked:
1) Acting - It's rare to get well-acted male and female leads in a mini drama. Leo Yang fits this agent-gone-rogue personnel. I didn't find his visuals outstanding but there is something about his gaze and smirk that captivated me. That scene at the hospital impressed me. I also like Han Le Yao's acting. She matched the intensity of Leo's acting.
2) Romance - I like watching the relationship between A Sen and Ling Yi progressed from strangers to fake relationship to real lovers. There aren't many kisses but when they kissed, they were really into each other. I like the back hugs, the hand holding.
3) Ling Yi's characterisation - One of the best female leads in action-thriller mini dramas. Her character isn't coy nor dumb. She knew her place in each setting even though at times she did act impulsively.
4) Shooting locations - Some locations were exotic and very pretty like the riviera, desert and flat roof house.
5) Action scenes - Well choreographed and shot scenes. The fighting, gun shooting, bombing - they looked real.

What I disliked:
1) Elena - I knew she was the culprit way back when she complained about her passive role within the organisation. Her decisions baffled me and dislike her seducing A Sen.
2) Ending - Feel like there is loose end with Elena and Tai. I understand the time jump but would have liked more scenes between A Sen and Ling Yi.

Favourite scene
When Ling Yi was sulking then bickered with A Sen in episode 16. I like seeing A Sen's smirk and smile.

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She was unethical, he was unhinged & toxic romance was romanticised

I was informed of this drama via subreddit CShortDramas. I had saved the link to watch the next day but drama was removed. Fortunately another member shared an alternative link (thank you TxPep) so I quickly watched it this morning. This drama raised a lot of questions - overall it was a good watch.

What I liked:
1. Zhang Chi - This is my third drama of his and it's great that he chose to play distinctive characters. He was great at playing a lunatic desperate for love and sense of belonging.
2. Shots - I loved how the shots were framed and edited. Beautiful cinematography that reminded me of vertical dramas I Just Want You and The Love of A Fool.
3. Styling - Beautiful outfits worn by FL & ML. I liked some over-the-top pieces worn by ML. Some outfits made ML to look "innocent".
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL's nurse friend, Su Mu (the actor was handsome & had presence), ML's mother and ML's cousin / business rival.
5. Plot - Even though I disliked both characters and their romance, the storytelling was well executed. I enjoyed ML's family dispute arc but sadly the conflicts were not given enough punch because writer wants us to side with ML.

What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - She was unethical - she already knew how problematic ML was but crossed the line she shouldn't cross. Therefore I couldn't emphatise with her when she wanted to run away from ML. Thank gawd she lost her license to practice psychiatry.
2. ML characterisation - Unhinged, cunning & dangerous. I still couldn't understand his motive for weaponising FL's past.
3. Romance - Toxic but this drama had ways to romanticise this abusive relationship. I disliked their relationship and the ending baffled me.

Favourite scene
FL's wedding

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Fabulous drama about enemies-to-lovers, mothers and science

I think someone on sub-reddit CShortDramas recommended this drama. I enjoyed some of Lu Shan Dong / Lu Dan Dong's dramas but I have not seen any of Huang Yun Yun's dramas (I know I need to watch her dramas with Jin Jia Yu). I was excited about this drama from the first minute and wow, this drama is fabulous! Definitely on my 'watch on repeat' list.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I loved that Li Chu is a scientist who is capable of taking care of herself and work. It's great that this drama showcased her growth - there were flashbacks to the time when she was awkward and inexperienced. Huang Yun Yun is fabulous in this role.
2. ML characterisation - I could tell from the start that Fu Si Yan had a crush on FL despite the animosity between them. I loved watching the way he supports FL without trespassing her domain. It's wonderful to see Lu Shan Dong is another green flag role because I missed his acting so much.
3. Supporting characters - Both of their mothers were delightful to watch. They are so competitive with each other that I find it amusing every time they bicker. I favour Li Ruyin (FL's mother) slightly more than Lin Shu (ML's mother) because she is progressive.
4. Romance - I enjoyed watching the dynamics between Li Chu and Fu Si Yan. Li Chu had more concerns about their relationship and I liked how Fu Si Yan reassured her and was confident in their love for each other.
5. Styling - This drama has FL going through a glow up. Her big, messy hair at the start reminds me of The Princess Diary's Mia Thermopolis. Li Chu looked different after the glow up - her 'after' look elevated her confidence & beauty.
6. Science - I loved that this drama showcased science, not just mentioned it in passing. The invention, the biometric reference - I loved it!

What I disliked:
1. Scientific thought - I was surprised that FL would believe ML's mother without seeking evidence. As a scientist, I expected her to do further testing.
2. Antagonist - Girl, the guy does not want you. Stop with the shenanigans and look for another man. With your connections and beauty, you should be able to find a man that matches your worth.

Favourite scene
When both mothers were being busybody at the hotel

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Love amidst snowstorm, billiards and naps

I've watched Wu Lei in Nothing but You and since I prefer modern romance, I was excited for this series. 'Amidst a Snowstorm of Love' was very much talked about when it was released in early 2024. I started watching this series in late October 2024 to hype myself for a trip to Chengdu (where Wu Lei grew up). Oh dear, I struggled with this series. I paused this series after episode 11 and restarted when I wanted to watch something while cutting papers for work.

What I liked:
1) Bromance - I love the dynamics between Lin Yiyang, Jiang Yang and Meng Xiaodong. I was relief that there was no bitterness between Yiyang and Xiaodong despite their childhood rivalry. Yiyang - Jiang Yang interactions were also delightful to watch.
2) Acting - Standouts are Wu Lei, Chen Jing Ke and Wang Xing Yue! Wang Xing Yue carried himself very well - his character is same aged or slightly younger as Wu Lei's (27 years old at start of series) but in real life, Wang Xing Yue was only 21 years old during filming.
3) Supporting characters - I really like Wu Wei, Jiang Yang, Meng Xiao Dong, Lin Lin, Chen An An and the endearing Meng Xiao Ting.

What I disliked:
1) Yin Guo characterisation - Sadly the female lead is underdeveloped. There was no character growth - she remained childlike & naive even with 2 time jumps. She never struggled because everything was handled by Yiyang or her family.
2) The romance - Sadly it is lackluster to the point that I fast forward all Yiyang-Yin Guo scenes to 1.5x speed. I didn't buy their love because their love being developed. Yiyang was smitten at first sight of Yin Guo, which is quite unnerving because he didn't know her personality but he already falling for her [looks and childlike behaviour, I guess?]. Yiyang even admitted in episode 20-something that he had only shown the best side of him to Yin Guo but not his worst side. I also don't like that Yin Guo was coy when there was nobody around. They had already been intimate and in relationship for 1.5 - 2 years. Plus Yin Guo doesn't seem to contribute much to the relationship. I dislike her comments about Yiyang's stubble (which was hardly visible) and his image. What's with the shaving scene?
3) Writing - I haven't read the book in which this series is based on but I assume the book focused more on their romance from 2 POVs rather than individual growth and eventual romance. I think it'd be great if this series had been about a lost man reviving a career in billiards after relearning the sport from a rookie. Remove the very first peeping through the window shot and all the naps.
4) Editing - I wish there were explanations about billiards, snooker and 9-ball so viewers have better understanding of the sport. The competition shots were alright but they never created any suspense for the viewers.

Favourite scene
When Lin Yiyang, Jiang Yang and Meng Xiao Dong hung out eating skewers

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Thrilling revenge drama set in the world of fine art. Great chemistry & acting

I am a fan of Sheng Yi Jie and Yu Long so I was delighted to see both of them together in a drama. I watched this drama on the day of its release.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Good balance of push & pull - it was thrilling. The kisses were good. I also felt that they were emotionally connected.
2. Revenge - Satisfying! I liked how FL executed her revenge against the cheating husband. Then another revenge on behalf of her mother.
3. Acting - Great performances by the cast. There was visually and acting chemistry between Yu Long and Sheng Yi Jie. They looked like a mature, power couple.
4. Plot - It was refreshing! This drama was set in the world of art / painting. How FL, SML & ML were invovled in that industry.
5. FL characterisation - I liked seeing her at work because it's something I don't know much about.
6. Styling - I loved the emerald green qipao. The scene was brilliant! I basically loved anything worn by Sheng Yi Jie.
7. Duration - I loved that this drama's running time was under 2 hours. It was well-paced.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's husband the SML was an asshole for betraying FL 2 ways (love & career). ML's wife and grandfather were atrocious. ML's father was another vicious person.

Favourite scene
When FL let her hair down & kissed ML

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Letdown by Zhu Xiao Xue's bland acting. She was miscast!

I was in the mood for Xie Yu Wang dramas so I was excited when this drama was released. I had not watched Zhu Xiao Xue's acting so I was curious. I must say I was disappointed with this drama.

What I liked:
1. Styling - I always see some 90s Johnny Depp in Xie Yu Wang. So when ML dressed like a rockstar for this drama, I simply loved it.
2. ML characterisation - I liked his flirty nature.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant, FL's grandpa & FL's bestie.
4. Kisses - Good kisses thanks to XYW.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's fiancé / boyfriend & his adopted sister were mean.
2. Acting - Unfortunately Zhu Xiao Xue seemed out of place. This drama has a tinge of comedy even with revenge focus but ZXX lacked charm to pull off this role. There was no chemistry between her and XYW. I also disliked the acting of SML. His acting lacked conviction for a scumbag who was willing to harm FL. The actor seemed goofy with that styling & acting style.
3. Romance - Sadly I didn't buy the romance arc at all. FL was more focused on revenge against her ex - she couldn't be bothered with ML until the last 20 minutes or so. The lack of chemistry between ZXX & XYW also didn't make me want to root for them.

Favourite scene
When ML was flirty with FL after love confession.

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