emberzmars

Good for career-focused main characters but bad for the lack of spark between leads

I started to appreciate the acting of Liu Yu Hang and Liu Xi Yu recently so when this drama was released, I watched it within 24 hours of its release. Overall I must say I expected more from both of them. This drama left me feeling there was something missing.

What I liked:
1. Career - The drama revolved a lot around their work at the hospital. It's nice to see 2 career-focused characters on vertical screen.
2. Main characters - Likeable & modest. I liked FL's firm stance on professionalism.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's sister & her close colleague. I also liked the male doctor.
4. Romance - Slowburn. A few kisses. It's adorable that she's shy about having their relationship out in the open. Sweet ending.
5. Tone - Minimal toxicity. I liked that there was no draggy antagonist arc.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - The doctor who had a crush on ML was annoying. Acted like a child. I also disliked ML's mother for being foolish & selfish. FL's ex boyfriend was annoying too.
2. Chemistry - I didn't sense any spark between Liu Yu Hang and Liu Xi Yu, which is a shame. Both of them can do great kissing scenes but in this drama, I felt like any passion / desire was put down as though it was unwanted fire. At times I felt their scenes together "sterile"

Favourite scene
The staircase

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Dull vampire drama with bland performances by Biscuit La La and Liu Lan Bo

I was surprised to see the drama title when the drama was released. I rarely watch Liu Lan Bo dramas but this title implied vampire element so I was ecstatic. I am a fan of supernatural themed series. To my dismay, this drama did not meet my expectation.

What I liked:
1. Styling - I liked that FL often wore white to emphasise her purity while ML often wore black & red - perhaps evil and lust vibe?
2. Cage - ML caged & chained to avoid harm to others. I liked that scene because of the aesthetics.
3. Opening - It was interesting to see how the story was build. I got a glimpse of FL and ML's background.

What I disliked:
1. Plot - I thought this drama was a bad and dull version of Twilight. Sadly the fantasy element was unsatisfying because his reason for refusing blood was drawn out until the third act. The campus drama in the middle did not make sense. I got bored so I doubled the speed.
2. Romance - I didn't buy it. Very much the case of Stockholm syndrome with FL pitying ML. Too many chokeholds at the start when ML disbelieving FL at every turn.
3. Acting - I must say there was zero chemistry between Liu Lan Bo and Biscuit La La. I also found Biscuit La La lacked charisma & conviction in this role - she needs to take acting lessons. Liu Lan Bo gave a bland performance too.
4. Hair - Liu Lan Bo's hair was horrible. Did he wear a wig?

Favourite scene
When ML was caged

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Cute unplanned pregnancy drama with likeable main characters

The trailer caught my attention - I saw it in subreddit CShortDramas. When I saw that this drama was in iQIYI catalogue, I decided to watch it there. I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I am a fan of unplanned pregnancy trope so I enjoyed this drama. There were sweet & spicy moments even during pregnancy which I enjoyed.
2. Tone - Lighthearted.
3. Main characters - Likeable and cute. I liked watching FL grew stronger. I also liked the fact that ML experienced morning sickness.
4. Supporting character - I liked Shen Yue. The Labubu cameo was adorable!
5. Styling - FL got cute wardrobe.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - So many bullies from former high school mate, colleagues to mother and ML's family friend.
2. Retribution - ML's family friend was only given light punishment.
3. Ending - It was abrupt.

Favourite scene
When FL saw beautiful painting in living room

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Synopsis excited me but I lost interest after halfway mark

I was excited to find this drama in iQIYI catalogue because I enjoy Xie Yu Wang's acting.

What I liked:
1. First act - It was interesting to see both main characters trying to outwit each other.
2. 1920s - I enjoyed these scenes.
3. Xie Yu Wang - I liked his acting here.

What I disliked:
1. Plot - Convoluted and messy. I became disinterested halfway through the drama after too many twists.
2. Dubbing - XYW's voice was dubbed by another actor.
3. Styling - Horrible fitted clothes for SML. The oversized fit clothes with shoulder pads didn't suit his baby face and small frame. I must say the wedding dress was one of the ugliest I have seen in vertical dramas.
4. Antagonists - I disliked SML & FL's family.
5. Acting - Zhong Ya Ting gave a bland performance. I also didn't sense any chemistry between her and XYW.

Favourite scene
Opening

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Fan Xiao Dong excelled as a much older man in this "I Marry My Ex's Father" story

I enjoy dramas with "I Marry My Ex's Father" storyline so when this drama was released, I was excited to watch it. I had already watched two with the same plot before watching this drama so I was familiar with the story. I enjoyed this adaptation although there were certain flaws with the storyline.

What I liked:
1. Plot - Different from the versions with Huai Wen and Tao Si Yuan as MLs. The opening, the FL's genetics.
2. Big reveal - FL found out connection between ML and her ex 1 hour into drama unlike other adaptations, which took longer than 1 hour mark.
3. Romance - It was nice that they went on a date before she was kicked out of her childhood house. There were some nice kisses. I liked that he cooked for her.
4. Acting - Fan Xiao Dong was only 33 years old but the stylist managed to age him to look close to 40 (ML supposed to be 38 or 39 years old). The actor who played Fu Chen Yu was well cast too. Both actors played their roles very well.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family was ungrateful & opportunist. FL's ex was petulant with his mother another opportunistic character.
2. ML's action - He have his ex allowance after divorce - that fact baffled me because if I was not mistaken, she cheated on ML. Why so nice?
3. Duration - At 2 hours 50 minutes, I found it to be too long.
4. DNA test - Surprised that ML matriarch did not do DNA test to verify granddaughter.
5. Endearment - I was annoyed that FL called ML "uncle" until the end of the drama.

Favourite scene
When FL confronted ML's ex-wife

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Mixed feelings about this systems drama with leads at the verge of divorce

I became an instant fangirl of Bai Xue Ru after watching her first drama collab with Zhang Yi Yang. For the past month or so, whenever I saw a new drama starring Bai Xue Ru I got intrigued. This drama is one of those moments. I had mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked FL for standing up to bullies. I also liked her for being firm with ML when she realised their relationship wasn't working - this was at the start of the drama.
2. Playful - I liked ML's coquettish behaviour.
3. Supporting characters - I liked Ning Ning.
4. Styling - Great outfits for FL & ML.
5. Kisses - There were good kisses. I could sense the desire pouring from them.
6. Acting - Great performances by Bai Xue Ru and the actress who played the main antagonist.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Pathetic bitch. Wow she had systems to assist her schemes. Because of this advantage, I had mixed feelings about this story.
2. Romance - Lust was present but love? I doubted it because there wasn't any trust between them.
3. Loose ends - A lot of the actions by supporting characters were suspicious to me. I don't know if the camerawork was to be blamed or was I just overthinking those scenes?
4. Ending - Wow, antagonist was so stupid.

Favourite scene
When ML was drunk and behaved coquettishly.

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Refreshing story of reborn FL vs transmigrated modern antagonist. Great acting!

It was the last Saturday of 2025 and I felt like watching Sa Gang Yun drama. I noticed that he had done 2 or 3 costume dramas and I got curious so I played this drama on iQIYI. I LOVE IT! A refreshing story of reborn FL vs modern transmigrated antagonist.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Ju Ke Er had a tremendous screen presence. I was captivated by her aura from the very firat scene. Sa Gang Yun was wonderful too as an emperor - he had a commanding presence. There was sizzling chemistry between them two.
2. Values - Antagonist was a modern woman transmigrated to this historical era. It was fascinating to see a character who impossed her supposedly progressing values onto others. I enjoyed the different perspectives aka counterattacks by FL. The lesson on traditional Chinese wedding gown was priceless.
3. Styling - Beautiful outfits worn by FL. The silk embroidery on her gown - gorgeous! I found it amusing that Sa Gang Yun put on fake mustache & beard.
4. FL characterisation - She outsmarted the modern girl. Lesson learned from past life - when given second chance, she was prepared to bring down her half sister & the Crown Prince.
5. Romance - Slow but sultry seduction. FL was smart to make ML want her. High sexual tension resulted in fiery kisses. Wish there were more scenes.
6. Poetry slam - The verbal sparring was delightful battle of the wits.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Qing Qing was vain & snobbish. She was a fake champion of equality. I was annoyed that she got away with her antics without big punishment.
2. Ending - What the hell was that???

Favourite scene
When ML succumbed to temptation 🔥

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Fast-paced revenge drama but the actress who played FL gave a bland performance

I was on a diet of Xie Yu Wang dramas in preparation of a reddit post about his work. The title and the running time caught my attention so I watched it. I liked it.

What I liked:
1. Revenge - Interesting that ML approached FL to enact revenge on SML.
2. ML characterisation - Smart & always ahead of SML. He was the brains of this revenge plan even though he didn't have as much screentime as FL.
3. Romance - It was good to see that ML and FL partnered up for a common goal - to bring down SML. I also liked that FL told ML about his mixed signals. There was a kiss at the end that was satisfying.
4. Supporting characters - I liked Lele and ML's assistant.
5. Duration - A short shorts at 1 hour 40 minutes. Fast-paced.
6. Styling - I liked outfits chosen for FL. ML looked handsome.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - SML was despicable for harassing FL. His wife was horrible. FL's colleague was another horrible person.
2. Acting - Zheng Qian Yi lacked charisma to pull off the FL character. Her facial expressions were bad. Unfortunately I didn't sense any chemistry between her and Xie Yu Wang.

Favourite scene
When Lele went into the bedroom while FL & ML were cuddling

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Self-aware teen focused on getting great grades - no romance

I literally just completed this series. I discovered it on subreddit CShortDramas when it was a fresh release. Realised that it's available on iQIYI so watched it there after a friene highly recommended it. I enjoyed it a lot.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was very focused on her goal, which is to score top marks in order to get a spot at top university. She noticed the drama around her but reminded herself not to get involved - I liked that self-awareness trait. She was also smart & funny - her thoughts about the ridiculousness of green tea antics made me laugh.
2. Supporting characters - I liked her neighbour Gao Yan and his parents. They saw FL's worth and treated her with respect and empathy. That offer given by Gao Yan's mother moved me. I also liked the people at the orphanage (the friends, the director) as well as FL's school mates in Jing City.
3. Kindness - There were multiple acts of kindness shown in this drama. In addition to the neighbours' kindness, I also liked that FL forgave her classmates who made fun of her before the mock exam.
4. Plot - The plot was refreshing. I kept wondering what would happen next or what would FL do next. Good writing. I was surprised by the arc for first brother and the time jump. I guess the writer wanted to do smooth transition to season 2.
5. Duration - Good amount of running time. Well-paced and I liked that I watched it in one sitting.
6. Styling - Good choices of outfits to demonstrate the differences between a studious teenager and a materialistic teenager. I also liked the outfits chosen for FL's father.

What I disliked:
1. Green tea - She was insecure and manipulative. She deserved that karma.
2. FL's biological family - They acknowledged FL's existence but were indifferent to her. To me, their relationship was like sponsor - beneficiary. They were punished - let them face life's challenges.

Favourite scene
When Gao Yan's mother passed a note to FL

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The sexiest Ex's father character - one of Sa Gang Yun's best work!

I was in the mood for vertical dramas with "I Marry My Ex's Father" storyline when I found this drama. I am a fan of Sa Gang Yun but his dramas can be a mixed bag. I was happy after watching this drama. It was an enjoyable one!

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - Sa Gang Yun is the sexiest Ex's father character I have seen! I also liked this character because he was sincere in wanting FL as his life partner.
2. Romance - There were many kisses but the one in FL's childhood home was damn hot! FL was apprehensive at first but later opened up her heart to ML. I liked that they were affectionate.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked the "ex-wife". She was assertive but turned out to be nice. I also liked FL's parents.
4. FL characterisation - She was smart and ambitious about child rearing. It was endearing and understandable.
5. Tone - I liked the light & comedic tone of this drama.
6. Dynamics - The interactions between ML and FL's father were amusing.

What I disliked:
1. FL's action - I disliked FL at first for not wanting her relationship with ML to be known to people. I also didn't understand why she ran away from her home with ML.
2. Antagonists - Her ex was a horrible spoilt brat. Narcissist.

Favourite scene
When ML sneaked into FL's room

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Mature characters but FL's characterisation stopped me from loving this drama

Finally this drama has a MDL page. I watched this drama within 48 hours of its release because I heard positive reviews about this drama from subreddit CShortDramas. I liked but didn't love this drama.

What I liked:
1. Romance - They had one night stand & ML was smitten by her after their encounter. I liked that they were affectionate.
2. Styling - The ice blue dress was gorgeous. Chen Si looked good too.
3. ML characterisation - He was love brained. I understood his need to pursue FL because of his medical condition.
4. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant.
5. Hidden identity - I liked that his identity was revealed immediately after one-night stand.
6. Live stream - i liked the grape session.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's soon-to-be hubby was a scumbag. The mother was mean too. FL's aunt was selfish. I also disliked ML's mother for being nasty & ungrateful.
2. Cheating - I am not a fan of main character sleeping with other people while in a relationship / a marriage. I wish she had gotten her divorce certificate before the one night stand.
3. FL characterisation - I was annoyed that FL treated ML as her sugar daddy / boss after her divorce. I also found their relationship lacked depth because she was money minded.

Favourite scene
FL coaxing a sulking ML

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Enjoyable dystopia drama with good performances and familiar faces

I was preparing a reddit post on Zhang Ruo Chen's dramas when I found this drama in her Youtube playlist. I watched it without any expectations and was surprised by the storytelling. I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
1. Dystopia - I liked the storyline from rebirth to natural catastrophe preparation and community divide.
2. Romance - FL & ML were lovey dovey. I liked the kisses, quick pecks & hand-holding.
3. ML characterisation - He was protective, gentle & sensible.
4. FL characterisation - Sensible & smart.
5. Supporting characters - I liked Lin Siblings, the butler, Li Cheng Sheng & Hui Jia. There were a few familiar faces actors that I recognised.
6. Acting - Great performances by the cast.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I disliked FL's ex boyfriend, half-sister Wang Er, Cheng Shang Dao, Li Qing Qing. They were horrible people that turned into devils when they were desperate.
2. Ending - WTH!

Favourite scene
When ML competed with Dr Lin Shu Bo for FL's attention

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Sheng Yi Jie & Yang Han made a sexy pairing

I enjoyed Sheng Yi Jie - Yang Han drama in which they have a cute son. So when I found out there is another collab drama, I was excited. I liked this drama.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I always like Sheng Yi Jie - Yang Han pairing and it's great that they were more lovey-dovey here. I liked the moment she realised her feelings for ML.
2. Acting - Damn, the visual and acting chemistry was electric. Both were great in their roles individually and as a couple.
3. ML characterisation - Green flag.
4. Styling - Great outfits for FL. I didn't like ML's glasses but I guess stylist chose them to emphasise his Mr Nice Guy persona since antagonist was more baby-faced.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Her ex husband was too controlling & selfish. She should have done stricter measurement with contact.
2. Secret identity - I disliked that she didn't come clean with ML about her goal to get her mother’s shares. They could have worked together to achieve that goal.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML were lying in bed

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Lighthearted tale of cultivation

I am a fan of Li Ke Yi so when I found out about this drama, I added to my watchlist. I got around to watch a month ago. I enjoyed it although at times I did unconsciously compared this drama to Great Grandma Reborn at 18 because of her character's personality.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was cool, calm & smart. With her supernatural power, she was able to teach people a lesson.
2. Tone - It's funny and lighthearted.
3. Supporting characters - Yay, a familiar face - ML's grandfather. I also liked FL's mother & the arc for FL's father.
4. Styling - Beautiful clothes for ML & FL.
5. Approach - I really liked that she used social media to gain followers.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - She was envious and vicious towards FL - she was ok to harm people who got in her way. Ungrateful to her adopted family. Sow seeds of discord.
2. ML characterisation - He was like a filler character. I didn't get his purpose in this story because there was hardly any romantic moments or inclination.

Favourite scene
When she wowed ML's family & guests with Guqin playing.

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Revenge by calculating cause and effect

Yu Ke Ran impressed me when I first saw him in The Heartbreak Alliance. I was in the mood for something supernatural and saw a trailer of this drama on subreddit CShortDramas. I watched it a few days ago and wow I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
1. Revenge - Plot was unique - a revenge tale that kept me guessing. I was surprised that the police caught onto him quickly.
2. Fantasy - ML's superpower was calculating cause and effect. Fascinating. Although his superpowers mostly shown for his revenge, there was the good side of the power - the medical treatment.
3. ML characterisation - Antihero. I liked that he was a morally grey character. He was hellbent on enacting revenge that he didn't care about being punished by the law. Tactical - he didn't mind villains being harmed indirectly by his calculations.
4. Supporting characters - I liked the rich woman who later became his ally. I also liked the police force.
5. Acting - Once again Yu Ke Ran impressed me with his acting. I also liked the acting of actor & actress that portrayed the leading police officers.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Wang siblings were vicious & rotten brats. Their father was the worst.
2. Punishment - I was surprised that he was sentenced to prison. Was there any legit evidence that link him to the antagonist's death?

Favourite scene
When he wanted to impress a brain surgeon

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