emberzmars

Flawed romantic suspense drama brought down by abysmal acting performance & subpar writing

I found out about this drama from a subreddit. The title intrigued me because the two main characters are on the opposite side of the law. I decided to watch within 24 hours of release but gosh, I was disappointed with this drama. Thank you Raiana for telling me about this MDL page because I wanted to post my review immediately after watching so I don't forget my points. Watching this drama once is enough for me.


What I liked:

1. Styling – Zhao Zhen Dong was damn hot in silver hair. He looked like an anime character - I was glued to the screen . I also liked the clothes he wore during the drama.

2. Writing – I appreciate the writer trying to give refreshing storyline. The first & second acts were somewhat thrilling even with predictable plot. Well I knew where the story was heading.



What I disliked:

1. Bai Ye – Bai Ye was unbelievable in her role of undercover narcotics agent. She lacked conviction when she had scuffle with antagonists and during action scenes. I felt she was miscast.

2. Romance – FL & ML are supposed to be deep in love since their training academy days but got separated due to missions. However when reunited, they seemed awkward and there was no sexual tension. There was no chemistry between Bai Ye and Zhao Zhen Dong. Their romance was lacklustre.

3. Third act – The scenes after main antagonist was apprehended felt like a typical vertical drama but disguised as police thriller. The white moonlight increased her efforts in separating the couple, the couple decided not to communicate truthfully so a lot of assumptions made. Ending was out of the blue.


Favourite scene
Zhao Zhen Dong when he first appeared on screen with silver hair

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Solid performances in this mystery drama about never-ending love

I added this drama to my plan to watch list because I saw Liu Qing on the thumbnail. Once I clicked play, I realised FL was Zhu Mo Yan. I enjoyed this mystery drama.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Solid performances by both Liu Qing & Zhu Mo Yan. Good facial expressions. They also had great acting & visual chemistry.
2. Main characters - I liked that FL was determined to save ML from being harmed. Little did she know that ML tried to do the same too.
3. Romance - I could sense that ML was very much in love with FL even though he was standoffish. Their kisses were passionate due to the pent up sexual tension.
4. Ending - Endings do not have to be neat and in this case, it was left open to interpretation. I liked the bittersweet ending.

What I disliked:
1. SML - With that ending, I wonder why SML played a crucial part in the time loops. It bugs me that this was unanswered.

Favourite scene
When FL's bestie tried to frame FL in front of her parents

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Unlike other revenge tales, this drama warms my heart with its writing & acting performance

I decided to watch this drama as I was preparing to write a reddit post on Han Yu Tong's revenge dramas. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Highly recommended.

What I liked:
1. Tone - Many revenge dramas have a cold feel but I felt warmth throughout the drama. There was so much heart showcased by Zhu Yuanyuan. Plus I never expected comedy in a revenge tale.
2. Acting - Spectacular performance by Han Yu Tong and the actress who portrayed Zhu Yuanyuan. Cao Tian Kai was also good at portraying a goofball antagonist. The actress who played SML's sister was good too.
3. FL characterisation - Wonderfully written. FL is just a person who wanted to be loved. Even with physical transformation, there are still pieces of Zhu Yuanyuan in Qing Ting.
4. Theme - It's great to see themes such as self-worth & family love is explored in this drama.
5. Dynamics - I enjoyed watching FL and ML relationship progress from strangers arranged to be marriage by their families to allies. Very subtle romance with actions mostly by ML, which is understandable considering FL's mission.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's father.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Cruel & disrespectful. The mistress got the comeuppance that she deserved.

Favourite scene
When SML got ready in hotel bathroom

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Love amidst zombies, superpower and jealous green tea

I checked out new releases 2 days ago and was intrigued by this drama's poster, the one with only Wang Hao Zhen & Hou Cheng Yue holding pistol. I saw 30 seconds of the drama and immediately suggested to MDL friend for a buddy watch. I enjoyed this drama a lot.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - Yes, the FL literally kicks ass! I loved her speech about being empowered without relying on men. Hou Cheng Yue was perfect in this role. She demonstrated smart, cool, badassery traits and her weapon handling seemed believable.
2. ML characterisation - He demonstrated good leadership capabilities. He's smart, sensible & loving. I have only seen 2 Wang Hao Zhen's dramas before this - wow his take on this role impressed me. He gave me Ren Jia Lun vibes throughout the drama - the subtle facial expressions, hair styling & that bathtub scene.
3. Fantasy & sci-fi genre - I loved that different tropes within these genre were explored in the drama e.g. zombie, antidote, superpower, dystopia / isolated communities. Great production value. This drama reminds me of US tv show The Last of Us.
4. Styling - Impeccable styling. Very cyberpunk. FL wore fabulous outfits except the black sequin top worn for excursion to an island. Loved outfits worn by ML & SML Shen Yi Chen.
5. Romance - Slow burn with mostly sweet gestures and 2 nice kisses. ML was devoted to FL from the start of this drama. What did ML mean during the ending?
6. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's subordinates. Their relationship with ML was more than just a boss-employee relationship. I also liked Shen Yi Chen. I recognised the actor when I saw his face & birthmark on his ear. He was in Wen Rou Ye Gu starring Wang Chen Peng & Zhai Xin Ran.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - There were 2 main types of antagonists in this drama: the green tea who is envious of FL and the military government. There was too much screen time given to the green tea that I lost interest in her third attempt to harm FL. I don't understand why she had such power over a group of military officers when she was a mere civilian. That final standoff was just silly but I was delighted with how her character was wrapped up. Now the military government arc had so much potential but was underdeveloped. A pity!
2. Length - The running time is close to 3.5 hours and for me, some parts were draggy. I wish certain scenes were removed & certain sub-plot were further developed.
3. Spice - I am complaining about the lack of spice. There were too many near-kiss moments that I got frustrated. With that extra long running time, they could have had 1 or 2 spicy scenes.

Favourite scene
When FL fought a group of zombies at the start of the drama

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Compact, sweet & spicy romance of 2 couples

I like Du Ya Fei's acting. I came across this series when it came out but never watched till I got reminded of it today on reddit. I have watched You Leave, I Leave prior to watching this. I enjoyed this very short series immensely.

What I liked:
1. Romance - For a series that is only 33 minutes long, there are plenty of sweet and spicy moments. I love both couples but second couple had me more emotionally invested in. I understand both FLs' insecurities in their marriage because their marriages were arranged by their family.
2. Acting - I enjoyed acting from all 4 leads especing Li Meng Qing & Xie Hong Xin. I am keen to explore their dramas after watching this drama. Overall, all 4 had great chemistry between them.
3. Sisterhood - I really liked the bond that FL and SFL had. SFL seemed to be adopted by FL's family. FL in this drama seemed to be a follower rather than a leader - that's cute.
4. SFL characterisation - She is the character I liked the most. I empathised with her. She undervalued her worth because of her identity so she just needed reassurance from her husband.

What I disliked:
1. Runtime - I wish the series could be at least 1 hour. I really want to see more couple scenes.

Favourite scene
When secondary couple reconciled

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Family is core theme of this drama

I came across this drama as I browsed Zhang Chu Xuan's list of dramas on Chinesemov.com The title intrigued me so I decided to watch last week. I enjoyed this drama a lot!

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - The introduction was amusing. I liked how FL decided to turn around the character that she inhabited. She's smart & compassionate so that changed people's perception of her. I also enjoyed her scenes as family provider.
2. Family theme - I loved that family is core theme in this drama. A few scenes were touching.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked the three brothers & FL's daughter in law. It's wonderful that they were given arcs for character growth. Anyway that milk scene was funny because it backfired.
4. Styling - Loved the vibrant clothes worn by the cast.

What I disliked:
1. Zhang Tian Jing - I understand that his character doesn't have a lot of scenes but I found him lacking screen presence. His performance was underwhelming for me.
2. Romance - It is subtle but due to the lack of chemistry between Zhang Chu Xuan and Zhang Tian Jing, it seemed unnecessary to have romantic interest.

Favourite scene
When the youngest son defended FL from a bully & his father

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Lotsa kisses but no chemistry & mousy & bland FL

I was in the mood for Ma Shi Yao's drama so I chose this drama because I thought this drama is a remake of A Night Deeply Drunk on the Spring Breeze starring Du Ya Fei.

What I liked:
1. Ma Shi Yao - Call me bias but he gave a good performance as a neurosurgeon with a threat on his career. I liked the scenes where he struggled with his illness.
2. Supporting character - I liked ML's friend that matchmade them.
3. Romance - The intimate scenes were spicy! I liked the sneaky kisses at work. ML was always the one initiating intimacy and there were plenty of shirtless ML scenes.

What I disliked:
1. Zhu Xin Yu - She gave an underwhelming performance. One note expression - perpetually surprised at everything.
2. FL characterisation - Mousy & bland. What made ML attracted to her a lot until he wanted a committed & long-term relationship?
3. Styling - FL's styling seemed to be modelled after anime character. White body fitting top with sexy back but let's hide sexy image with glasses. Oh I dislike when a character wears a pair of glasses that doesn't have lens. What is the point??? I also didn't understand why a medical intern have long nails.
4. Chemistry - There was no chemistry between Ma Shi Yao & Zhu Xin Yu.

Favourite scene
When he had a panic attack that caused him to doubt himself

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I liked secondary couple more than main couple

I am a fan of Huang Bo. I watched this drama on 16 February 2025 but forgot to write a review until today when I am doing homework on his dramas.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - He was determined to make his marriage work after he had time for his personal life. He respected his wife. Huang Bo looked dashing in a SWAT uniform.
2. Supporting characters - I really like FL's best friend as she was spunky. I was intrigued by ML's brother from very first moment he appeared. It's good to see that he had his own arc. FL's senior doctor colleague was memorable & a good rival to ML.
3. Romance - Sweet romance once the awkwardness was gone. A lot of caress and hand holding. It's also cool that there is secondary romance story in this drama. They were so adorable.

What I disliked:
1. ML's action - I wasn't fond of ML for leaving his bride for work immediately after wedding & no communication until 3 years had passed. He never apologised for this action.
2. FL characterisation - I found her too timid for my liking. Her character wasn't memorable. I only remember she attended to husband's wound in the middle of hospital hallway.
3. Antagonist - FL's rival was annoying and unbelievable. How could she become a medical intern / officer with that reckless behaviour? There was also another woman who thought she should be ML's wife.

Favourite scene
When FL's bestie met ML's brother

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ML who never gave up on true love

This was one of the earliest vertical dramas I watched when I first discovered them back in December 2024. I found this drama through a playlist of Han Jia Hui's dramas. It took me awhile to track info for this drama to be submitted as New Title. Delighted this MDL page is live because this drama is highly recommended.

What I liked:
1. Pregnancy - In most vertical dramas, unplanned pregnancy happens after a one-night stand, be it sober or intoxicated. It's different in this drama - the child was actually a product of love.
2. ML characterisation - I loved that ML never gave up in his search to find his true love even after many years of no contact. He was smart and had good instincts.
3. FL characterisation - It's wonderful that FL fight back against office bully. She is without flaw but I understand her reason for leaving ML after his surgery.
4. Romance - I loved the love story between ML and FL. There was love, passion and desire from both sides.
5. Styling - I liked the clothes worn by FL and her daughter. Beautiful and sensible clothes for leisure and for work.
6. Supporting character - FL's daughter is so adorable. She does resemble Li Zhuo Yao. FL's best friend is a great friend.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Green tea just obsessed at becoming Mrs Ji because of status. She's vicious for using FL's daughter to threat FL.
2. Secrets - I wish FL had just told ML about her identity and their kid sooner. The lack of honest communication and red herring made FL an easy target for the green tea.

Favourite scene
When ML saved FL's daughter from being abducted

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Good looking couple in underdeveloped romance

I watched this drama months ago and forgot about it until I checked Chen Gang's playlist. I watched it second time few days ago and submitted this drama as New Title so I can write a review. Have to say that this drama is forgettable.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Zhang Chu Xuan wore pretty outfits and I loved the biker look at the start of drama. I liked Chen Gang's paisley tie. Both Zhang Chu Xuan and Chen Gang are good looking.
2. Acting - Zhang Chu Xuan, Chen Gang and Wei Ruo Chen did good with the given script despite the horrible writing. However Zhang Chu Xuan's voice sounded different.
3. Supporting character - I liked ML's grandma.

What I disliked:
1. Violence - Trigger warning: This drama has scenes of someone physically abusing elderly. Plenty of slapping too.
2. Antagonists - SFL looked like Wang Yun Yun / Cai Cai Yun. Anyway SFL is evil.
3. Romance - Severely underdeveloped. With less than 20 minutes to the end, I still didn't buy that FL had feelings for ML.

Favourite scene
When FL wanted to help ML with change of bandage

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Spicy but crappy romance between doormat FL and indifferent ML

I watched this drama during my first month of vertical drama discovery and was surprised by the introduction. Thank you to JustOneMoreEpisode for submitting this drama as New Title because now I can write a review on it. Overall this drama had its ups and downs.

What I liked:
1. Lust - Damn, spicy romance right off the bat. That intro scene set me on fire! The subsequent intimacy between ML and "Penny" was hot with one memorable scene.
2. Acting - Great acting by Guo Jing and Xie Yu Wang. Guo Jing got me to sympathised her even though I didn't fancy FL's characterisation.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's grandpa and FL's boss / male colleague.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I'd say FL and ML had an unhealthy relationship in which ML abandoned her right after marriage license and FL being ok with it. There were opportunities for both of them to tell the truth about their circumstance but no, the truth only came out during a medical emergency. I do, however, loved the scene in which FL woke up in a hospital and told off ML for suddenly showing concern.
2. Family - Both families of FL and ML are rotten except for ML's grandpa.
3, ML characterisation - I just cannot accept ML's behaviour. He cheated on his wife nevertheless.

Favourite scene
When FL was in operating room and doctor was looking for next of kin to sign papers

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Great chemistry, well-written plot and beautiful aesthetics

I enjoy Cheng Cheng and Shi Tong's acting and to my surprise, they acted together in this drama. Apparently this drama is a remake of '52 lovers in 4 years' plot. I believe the first version starred Du Ya Fei and Zhang Jin Yi, the fourth version starred Zhang Bei Xi and Liu Ying, and this Cheng Cheng- Shi Tong drama is the fifth version. I watched the fourth and fifth versions and I like this drama way more than the fourth version.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She's smart and self-reliant. I loved that FL is a Chinese Opera Singer who uses a public persona when she works. Shi Tong knows how to choose roles and so far I have enjoyed most of her dramas.
2. Romance - Spicy and sweet. That first intimate scene was hot and I liked how FL acted the morning after. I also loved that they shared a passion in Chinese Opera. I also liked that ML confessed his feelings to FL at 70% mark of the drama.
3. ML characterisation - Oh dear, Cheng Cheng played another mob boss. Good thing this character is different from the other mob bosses that he has played. This one is the most violent. Anyway I liked that ML is supportive of FL's decisions.
4. Styling - This drama was set in Chinese Republican era and the styling was so fabulous! I loved the outfits worn by both FL & ML. My favourite of FL's outfit is the black dress with scallop neckline paired. The hats were beautiful.
5. Supporting character - Loved ML's father.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's arranged fiancé and his mother are just despicable. However I enjoyed their arc because there was emotional connection between ML and the antagonists.

Favourite scene
When ML saved FL from being attacked by her arranged fiancé

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Concise and compact, wonderfully written drama

I added this drama to my playlist about 2 months ago after watching another Ma Xiao Yu's drama. I was intrigued because the drama title said "domineering female CEO" and "her personal male servant". I enjoyed this drama so much!

What I liked:
1. Writing - I liked that the drama is concise and compact. ML's love rival was a nice touch! Both main characters & nosy colleague were well written. The plot twist was wonderfully done.
2. Directing - This drama has different style in comparison to other Chinese vertical dramas. It is whimsical and quirky with a scene that reminds me of Hong Kong film, Fallen Angel.
3. Acting - Cai Yan Jing & Ma Xiao Yu were impressive in their roles. I used to think that MXY couldn't excel in Mr Nice Guy role. Oh I was wrong!

What I disliked:
1. Fictional character - I was confused about the famous fictional character because I didn't see any similarity between the character and ML.
2. ML's mother - I disliked her for the deception.

Favourite scene
When ML met his father

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Jiejie romance that would have been great if there were real kisses

Older woman-younger man romance is my favourite trope so I was intrigued by this drama. I was unfamiliar with both the main actor & main actress. The drama was a satisfying watch.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was smart, attractive and confident and Dai Qi Xuan played this role very well. I will definitely check out her other dramas.
2. ML characterisation - He was like a lost puppy who hides his inner dobermann. I liked him better once his secret identity was out. I liked Zhou Ling Feng's acting and hope to easily find his dramas online.
3. Styling - FL seemed to don an avant garde fashion. Her neon green gloves and oversized white hat definitely grabbed my attention. I liked ML's styling as it gave edgy allure to his character.
4. Supporting characters - I found the backstory of FL's stylist fascinating! ML's half brother was also an intriguing character.
5. Romance - Great mix of push and pull between FL & ML. You can tell that they love each other. There was also a hint of secondary romance in this drama.

What I disliked:
1. Kisses - Sadly the kisses were shot at angle that made them look like fake kissing. Despite that, I must say the chemistry was definitely there between Dai Qi Xuan and Zhou Ling Feng.
2. Backstory - I want to know more about FL's stylist backstory!
3. Deceit - I found the lie FL told to ML about her engagement was too elaborate. Pity ML.

Favourite scene
FL was hospitalised and realised how important ML to her

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Dramedy with a heart!

This drama was recommended to me by MDL friend or reddit user. I was not familiar with the main actor & the main actress but the YouTube comments were generally positive. I watched this drama on a road trip (sis was driver) & was highly entertained throughout the drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was bad at being bad person hehehe. Bright, smart & funny. I enjoyed her naughty thoughts & flirty behaviour. Wei Lin impressed me with her acting. I will definitely watch her other dramas.
2. Comedy - I enjoyed her inner monologues. Laughed & chuckled.
3. Romance - Slow burn romance. ML was apprehensive with FL's actions at first but gradually fell in love with FL. Wish there were more kisses.
4. Styling - Loved FL's outfits.
5. Transmigration arc - I liked that this was addressed at the end of the drama.
6. Supporting characters - ML's family was great! I liked Gu Yanying even though he had ulterior motives at times.

What I disliked:
1. Communication - Despite being able to hear FL's thoughts, I wish ML was forthcoming and had shared his thoughts with her.

Favourite scene
The confession at the train station

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