emberzmars

I liked Lu Jia Hao but the whole story and Jia Bo Ya's performance were underwhelming

I got to know about this drama from subreddit CShortDramas. I was unfamiliar with the work of Li Jia Hao and Jia Bo Ya. The drama was alright.

What I liked:
1. Lu Jia Hao - He was charismatic & had stage presence even though he is not classically handsome. I liked his acting so will explore his work in the future.
2. ML characterisation - He was an arse for forcing FL to be with him but he knew he was at fault & admitted it openly to FL. I gave him points for being self-aware. I liked him when he teased FL about her kissing skill.
3. Opening scene - Strong & memorable!
4. Supporting character - I liked the assistant.

What I disliked:
1. Jia Bo Ya - Underwhelming performance. Her portrayal of a fearsome lawyer was unbelievable. That last scene when she was angry at her ex lacked conviction.
2. Romance - I didn't buy the romance because it was forced. FL did not show much interest in ML even when she supposedly had developed feelings for him.

Favourite scene
The veil

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Le Le and the child actor playing him are the best things about this drama

I was in the mood for Han Jia Hui dramas so I chose this drama because I hadn't seen Shu Tong's drama in months. This drama was an emotional roller coaster ride for me.

What I liked:
1. Supporting characters - I really liked Xu Mu, Huang Hui Hong & Le Le.
2. Le Le - That conversation between him and Xu Mu was heartfelt that I cried. The chat he had with his biological father was also emotional.
3. FL characterisation - I sympathised with her because she was trapped by evil people & as a result, suffered a lot. I liked her resilience.
4. Ending - I liked that ML wasn't given a second chance.
5. Third act - It was messy because there were many twists & turns but I enjoyed it.
6. Acting - Brilliant performance by child actor who portrayed Le Le. The cast performed their roles extremely well too. It's one of the few dramatic roles taken by Han Jia Hui. Shu Tong convinced me that he was a red flag ML.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Fang Hua Ting was a rude & vicious bitch. She abused the helpless. ML's mother was a black widow.
2. Misery - The relationship between FL & ML post-breakup was toxic. I felt that it was better they were out of each other's lives.
3. ML characterisation - I hated him for bullying FK especially when FL did not provoke him. He had serious trust issues.
4. Length - This drama is 3 hours 13 minutes long and is melodramatic.

Favourite scene
When Le Le had a conversation with Xu Mu

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Wow, I never imagined Yu Ke Ran could become a sexy vampire!

I got to know about this drama on subreddit CShortDramas. I enjoy dramas with supernatural themes so I decided to check it out. The plot was familiar but glad that Daddy is the Vampire King was not a carbon copy of my favourite supernatural vertical drama. I enjoyed this drama a lot and glad that this MDL page is live because it was impossible to find Chinese title online!

What I liked:
1. Styling - I liked the vampire look from red eyes to black and red outfits. I must say FL's wedding dress was gothic chic! The daughter's dress after she embraced her vampire identity was chic too!
2. ML characterisation - I liked his cool & calm nature. I never thought Yu Ke Ran would look so good as a vampire. He was great in this role.
3. Supporting characters - I loved their daughter. She protected her human mummy when they were attacked. I also liked ML's subordinate / enforcer - the actor was good looking.
4. Dynamic - I enjoyed watching the interactions and bond between ML and his daughter. Out of all the supernatural vertical drama with kids, this drama had the most natural looking interactions. Kudos to Yu Ke Ran and the child actress who played his daughter.
5. Romance - Slowburn but rewarding. I liked that ML studied romance - those moments provided comic relief. Good kisses with one very sexy scene that surprised me.
6. Fantasy - I loved seeing their supernatural power. I enjoyed watching the ritual for proper vampire transformation.

What I disliked:
1. Plot - The first and second acts were similar to A Story About Love. I wish the writer had adjusted by using vampire lore.
2. Styling - The styling for elders was amusing. The skull chain was an overkill.
3. Antagonist - The female vampire who was jealous of FL was atrocious. She harmed the daughter. Despite that, I'd say she got a good villain arc.

Favourite scene
When ML asked FL to check his body for injuries

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I dislike the FL in this time-travelling, family-focused drama

I was in the mood for Xie Yu Wang drama so I chose this drama for a few reasons: i) set in republican era (XYW was so excited about this opportunity in his weibo post), ii) intergenerational story, and iii) short running time. Too bad drama didn't meet my expectations.

What I liked:
1. Styling - Xie Yu Wang was very handsome in republican era military uniform. I liked the hairstyle too. The outfits for FL and her great-grandmother were beautiful although I didn't understand the need for FL's headgear. It was an overkill.
2. Acting - Great performances by most of the cast.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's son & wife.
4. Duration - Drama just under 90 minutes.

What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - I disliked FL's telling ML out loud to distrust his assistant. I thought it wasn't smart move. I also disliked her boasting about being smarter than ML when they talked about their next move. She was advantageous because of her grandfather's story (secondhand source) but she never lived during that era.
2. Saving the family - I didn't understand why ML told General Zhang what FL said to him. That's giving the antagonist the advantage. ML should be more cautious.
3. Antagonists - General Zhang & Assistsnt Cui were evil. They assassinated the whole family & harmed ML's son.
4. Acting - I didn't like Tan Yan Yan's acting but it's because of the script she's given. For a drama with family as the core theme, there was a lack of chemistry between Tan Yan Yan and Xie Yu Wang. They were cold distant / business-like.

Favourite scene
When FL met her elders for the first time & introduced herself

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High production value & good acting but ML frustrated me

Gosh I have been waiting for this drama since August and it finally released yesterday. It has been awhile since I last saw Jiao Pei Kai / Bai Fang Wen. I watched it last night before bed then continued the next morning. I literally just finished this drama and have mixed feelings.

What I liked:
1. Production value - Beautifully shot outdoor scenes at the Gobi Desert. Amazing landscape of the lesser seen China. This drama has pushed the envelope for the vertical drama industry.
2. Acting - Wonderful performances by Guo Yu Xin and Bai Fang Wen. I could see and feel the pain experienced by their characters.
3. Paper cutting scene - What a humbling scene! FL indirectly helped a girl to get back to school.
4. Crime arc - i enjoyed this arc even though the focus was inconsistent.
5. Styling - I liked the outfits worn by both leads. BFW looked rugged as a park ranger.
6. Supporting character - I liked ML's trusted colleague and the female doctor.

What I disliked:
1. ML's action - I got it that he was emotionally unavailable because of his personal demons. But why did he lie to FL about having a girlfriend while being married with her? Even though the "gf" caused a scene, I think FL's anger and disappointment were valid.
2. Romance - I was dismayed that their romance was very much "push" dynamics because of ML's stubbornness. Only when FL was in danger did he show vulnerability but even then he was not fully honest. This drama could have been a healing of two souls with both helping each other but unfortunately not.
3. Duration - 3 hours 18 minutes is the total screentime for this drama and I felt it was too long because the two arcs (romance & crime) were unfocused and not written well.
4. Ending - There were several flashbacks in the final 20 minutes. I felt it was unnecessary because the storytelling was drawn out that I remembered what happened from the start. I wish the drama ended with them together on a healing journey (action oriented rather than a promise).

Favourite scene
When ML tended to FL's injury

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I liked the actors who played FL's brothers

I was in the mood for Zhang Ruo Chen dramas so I decided to watch the very first drama listed here on MDL. I was surprised to see the cast list because I had seen the work of the male supporting actors. The only person unfamiliar to me was Sean Pai - this is my first drama of his. I realised that ZRC has acted in three different biological vs adopted siblings drama and I enjoyed this drama.

Trigger warning: Self-harm

What I liked:
1. Opening - I really liked the opening scene because it gave some limelight to the three biological brothers unlike any other rebirth dramas.
2. Reconciliation - I liked how the reconciliation scenes were written. There was a little "fantasy" twist to create awareness of past mistakes. Nice to see them plead to FL for forgiveness.
3. Acting - I enjoyed watching the actors who played supporting characters such as Wu Ming Yu, Ye Yang and Liu Bo Yang more than Sean Pai. Zhang Ruo Chen's acting fit the character which was a mixed bag for me.
4. Supporting characters - I liked that the brothers were given a lot of screentime unlike other biological vs. adopted family dramas. I also enjoyed the interactions amongst the brothers even though there were not many.
5. FL characterisation - I liked that she learnt lessons from past life and decided to cut off from her biological family and live independently. I liked that she didn't want her relationship with second brother to be revealed at the company.
6. Tone - It was lighthearted most of the time but there was some violence.

What I disliked:
1. Beneficiary - I was dismayed that FL went to live an easy life with ML, who was essentially her sugar daddy, when she insisted to her brothers that she would make it on her own.
2. Antagonists - Adopted sister was insecure and manipulative. FL's colleague was another horrible person. Serves her right for trusting the adopted sister.
3. Romance - I liked the teasing in their first "intimate" scene post-rebirth. Their relationship was sweet & based on love at first sight but lacked depth. I wish there were more couple moments outside of FL's family drama because the romance was not believable to me.

Favourite scene
Grandfather's birthday celebration

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FL and the kids were entertaining but what a foolish ML!

I was in the mood for Zhang Ruo Chen dramas so I chose to watch this one because it also stars Chen Bai Qao / Chen Gang and it's available on iQIYI. I enjoyed the drama.

What I liked:
1. Supporting characters - I must say the twins stole the limelight with their shenanigans. I couldn't stop laughing when they schemed to get FL in bed with their dad. I also liked Assistant Chen who was in favour of FL from the beginning and also FL's family butler.
2. FL characterisation - She was like jack of all trades. Even with memory loss, she got killer instincts and were able to defend herself against baddies. A FL who literally kicked ass. I also liked the girlboss side of her.
3. Acting - I really liked performances by Zhang Ruo Chen and the child actors.
4. Tone - Overall this is lighthearted comedy with a handful of action and dramatic scenes.
5. Rivalry - I liked that the sisters' rivalry involved them fighting over the family company. Like the reporter said "Wow, it's fun to see women / sisters fight over a company not over a man". They did fight over a man but I never took it seriously because FL never took it seriously.
6. Styling - I liked the different style of clothes for the different phase of FL's life.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - He was foolish for going along with what the antagonist said. Dude didn't seem to have any gut instincts.
2. Antagonist - FL's sister was evil to do those things including harming children. The other girl who pursued ML was stupid for believing the main antagonist. Good thing both got their retribution.
3. Romance - The romance was underdeveloped and ML needed to grovel for his wrongdoings. I wish there were moments between FL and ML to cultivate their romantic relationship.

Favourite scene
When FL fought baddies to save the children

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Finally found Gao Ming drama that I enjoyed - him as a "vampire"

I am a fan of supernatural themed vertical dramas. I got to know about this drama from subreddit CShortDramas. I watched it a few weeks before Halloween and I enjoyed it. I musy say that this drama is better than Liu Lan Bo's vampire drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was kind and soft-hearted but wasn't naive to the point of sacrificial lamb.
2. Romance - Both genuinely liked each other but too bad bad events separated them. When they were together, they were sweet. I liked that FL wasn't shy about intimacy.
3. ML characterisation - I liked his protective nature. I also liked that he did his best to atone for his family's bad deeds.
4. Supernatural - He wasn't quite a vampire - it was more like a curse that fell on his family. I liked this plot device.
5. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant and the housekeeper.
6. Acting - Good performances by the cast. I also liked the chemistry between Gao Ming and the main actress. I finally found a Gao Ming drama I enjoyed.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - SFL Lola was batshit crazy. She did everything she could to get ML including harming FL. FL's university rival was silly & annoying. I also disliked ML's grandfather and cousin / rival. The family doctor was horrible too for being an accomplice.
2. Communication - I hated that ML distanced himself from FL because he believed the family doctor's advice. He should have discussed with FL instead.

Favourite scene
When FL came to rescue ML at a hotel

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Good kissing scenes but Zhao Mei Xuan's acting was bland

I really like Ji Jun Liang's visuals so whenever I see his drama poster, I am more likely to watch the drama. I am unfamiliar of the actess but I enjoy unplanned pregnancy trope plot device. I had some expectations but unfortunately they were not met.

What I liked:
1. Ji Jun Liang - Handsome and his character is Mr Nice Guy. I liked his acting in this drama.
2. ML characterisation - I liked that he was firm with boundary & feelings when his childhood friend who loved him encroached in his space. I also likee his protectiveness.
3. Kisses - Plenty & great.
4. Styling - Well-picked outfits for ML & Ming Zhou SFL.
5. Supporting characters - I liked the doctor / brother.

What I disliked:
1. Zhao Mei Xuan - For a character that meant to be optimistic & warm, her performance was bland & forgettable.
2. Chemistry - No spark betwen ZMX and JJL despite the abundance of kissing scenes. Her facial expression was blank different from JJL who showed desire on his face.
3. Romance - Mostly one-sided with FL taking passive role. FL only iniated effort close to third act.
4. Antagonists - Mingzhou was entitled rich brat who was possessive of ML.
5. Length - Too long.
6. Styling - Her clothes not flattering. They emphasised on her naivety - maybe that was the intention.

Favourite scene
When ML went shirtless

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Yang Mie Mie kicked ass as a pint-sized witch!

My buddy Fae and I occasionally do buddy watches on sci fi / fantasy / supernatural vertical dramas. This is one of the dramas that we selected and personally this is my first Yang Mie Mie drama. I enjoyed this drama!

What I liked:
1. Acting - I was impressed by Yang Mie Mie’s acting as she managed to convey two different personas (normal, obedient kid vs superpowered witch). I also liked Du Ya Fei’s acting considering how underdeveloped his character was. It was great to see both of them fighting baddies.
2. FL characterisation - I enjoyed watching FL’s character development. She remained kind because of her foster parents but assertive when her old persona appeared.
3. Fantasy - I enjoyed the prologue at the start and later the demonstration of their powers. Great VFX in particular when FL fought the gangsters.
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL’s adoptive parents.
5. Styling - I liked the contrasting styling adopted for FL and ML. FL was innocent / untainted so she wore white / girly outfits. Meanwhile ML had been brainwashed by the elders so he had more rugged / edgy outfits.
6. Duration - I liked that this drama wraps up within 90 minutes.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - The power hungry witch elders and their successor. However their arc was done well, I think.
2. Confrontations - I found the final confrontation had too much yapping. Since FL already knew the elders’ intention, I wish she had attacked them instead of the lengthy debate.
3. Chemistry - Thank you to Fae for bringing out this point. Even though this has no romance, there wasn't much chemistry between Yang Mie Mie and Du Ya Fei. Not even in platonic relatonship kind. I think it's because the characters as adults never spent time together.

Favourite scene
When ML remembered his childhood with FL

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This I Marry Your Father Instead of You drama was ok but lengthy

I was in the mood for 'I marry your father instead of you' dramas so I chose this drama. I was curious to see the performances by the leads since I had never seen their work. I am familiar with the plot because I watched Be Your Kiss starring Huai Wen & Lu Jia Xi. This version is ok but I still prefer Be Your Kiss.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She started off as a naive 20 year old but grew up once she got married to ML. I likeed that she had flaws.
2. ML characterisation - He was patient & loving husband. He was aware of his son's stupidity before he knew about his son-FL relationship.
3. Romance - Their first intimate scene was sexy because FL made the initiative. There were some kisses but not many. I liked sweet gestures done by ML such as cooking, leg massage. FL even seduced ML into having sex during second trimester but ML was overly cautious.
4. Supporting characters - I liked the housekeeper Li Ma.
5. Casting - Tao Si Yuan is close to his character's age and I liked that. He looked hot shirtless and without glasses.
6. Styling - I liked the outfits chosen for ML & FL as they were right for their age & personality. Her wedding dress was pretty. I also liked clothes worn by FL's mother & sister.
7. Plot twist - I appreciated the plot twist regarding SML / ML's son. It's different from Be Your Kiss.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family was horrible to FL. In addition to being a bitch, FL's sister was a snob thinking her relatioship with Fu Cheng Yu had secured her for life.
2. Acting - The two leads' performances were alright. I wish there was chemistry between them. The supporting cast's acting was not great but the actress who played FL's sister was pretty.
3. Duration - This drama is slightly over 3 hours. I was disengaged a few times but because of the familiar plot, I was able to let the drama play while I wrote reviews on MDL using my phone.

Favourite scene
When FL seduced ML into having sex during her second trimester

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Frustrating drama about a loving couple who made assumptions then divorce

Huang Bo is my favourite vertical drama actor. I liked Zhang Ya Meng's acting the most in Embrace in the Dark Night. I was excited when I knew about this drama. Watched it as soon as I found a video with English subtitles but I was left disappointed after completing the drama.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Zhang Ya Meng and Huang Bo were good in their individual roles. The actress who played SFL gave a good performance too.
2. Supporting character - I liked FL's bestie.
3. Plot twist - Wow, I didn't expect it.
4. Final dialogue - I found the final conversation between FL & ML was powerful and meaningful.
5. The ending - Different from what I expected and I liked it.

What I disliked:
1. Chemistry - Despite the good individual performances, there was no chemistry between ZYM & HB. It was weird that even during the couple's good times, ZYM & HB seemed distant. The kissing scene was awkward.
2. Communication - I disliked that Nan Xi never confronted her husband of 3 years whom she had a loving relationship with. She suspected him of cheating and immediately wanted divorce. I also disliked the scene when FL & her bestie were talking about college dating. FL never refuted bestie's statement about FL's "college boyfriend" which was heard by ML then led to assumption & misunderstanding.

Favourite scene
Final conversation between FL & ML.

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Funny drama about older woman with multiple suitors

Huang Bo fangirl here. I watched this drama 24 hours within its release. It was different from any Huang Bo dramas I watched recently. I liked it.

What I liked:
1. Plot - I liked that the drama focused on older woman with adult son. It was also refreshing to see her being pursued by 3 men & working at her son's company. Huang Bo's character was one of the 3 men and I categorised his character as ML despite FL's entanglement with her ex husband.
2. Supporting characters - I likes Qi Qi, FL's son, FL's male assistant & ML's assistant.
3. Visuals - Huang Bo looked handsome in his relaxed outfit (low v neck). The actor who played FL's son was handsome too. The actress who played Qi Qi was pretty.
4. FL characterisation - She was smart for wanting to be financially independent. That's a trait I admire.
5. Styling - I loved her outfits especially the long black skirt.
6. Tone - The fights among the suitor were comic relief. I appreciated that the battle between FL and her husband wasn't mean-spirited.
7. Acting - The cast gave good performances even though it was hard to believe Wang Man Man's character has an adult son who was in top management. I liked the chemistry between her and her suitors.

What I disliked:
1. Duration - This drama is almost 3 hours long with most scenes about fights among the suitors. I prefer shorter length with shorter conflicts.
2. Romance - Yes, she was pursued by 3 men but she hardly had quality one-on-one time with each of them. I wish there were longer & better romantic mini arcs.
3. Antagonists - I disliked FL's husband. He cheated on her but regretted and wanted forgiveness.

Favourite scene
The massage scene

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Warm jiejie romance about girlboss FL & race car driver ML

I was browsing drama posters and the translated title of this drama - Scent of Her - grabbed my attention. I wasn't familiar with the main actress nor the makn actor but I decided to give this drama a chance. I liked it.

What I liked:
1. Romance - This is a jiejie drama specifically about stepsister & stepbrother with no blood relation. They got into a marriage of convenience and I liked their dynamics. FL & ML were affectionate & loving. Even though their kissing scenes were not steamy, I sensed warmth whenever they were together onscreen. I liked the conflict that was presented in their relationship.
2. FL characterisation - She was a strong woman - girlboss. She was curious about the death of her mother.
3. ML characterisation - His sense of smell was off after an accident but he was comforted by FL's scent. I liked him especially when he was playful with FL. He knew when to be serious and responsible.
4. Investigation - I liked this arc.
5. Supporting characters - I liked FL's assistant & ML's friend doctor.
6. Styling - I liked FL's wedding dress. I also liked ML's hair & outfits especially the black jacket at the start and the red & white jacket.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's father & ML's mother were despicable. I also disliked FL's ex and FL's uncle.
2. Bedsheet - Their bed sheet was too girlish, it was amusing.

Favourite scene
When they talked about the time they disliked one another in the past then ML confessed his feelings

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Adorable & funny romcom about cat curse and love triangle

I had this drama in my watchlist for months - I think I added it because of Li Zi Jie. I am in the mood for supernatural-themed dramas since Halloween is this Friday. I enjoyed the drama very much!

What I liked
1. Cat arc - The stand-in cat was so adorable. I liked the cat arc especially when the cat was around ML & SML. It was great that ML found out FL's cat identity at 67% mark of the drama.
2. FL characterisation - She was likeable and quick thinker. I liked when she caught her cousin framing her.
3. ML characterisation - His cat-phobia was too cute. Generally a nice boss.
4. Romance - Sweet romance with good push & pull dynamics. I liked when ML pet FL's head and when FL was feline playful with ML.
5. Styling - The all white outfit worn by FL when she was a cat was pretty.
6. Supporting characters - I liked SML a lot especially when he discovered FL's secret. I liked that he was a nice guy. I liked ML's assistant, FL's grandmother.
7. Acting - Great performances by the three leads. They had great chemistry with each other.
8. Duration - The running time is 1 hour 46 minutes. Pacing was good.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - I disliked FL's cousin for slandering FL especially the banquet event. That hired priest was a silly move - glad ML caught on.

Favourite scene
When FL turned Into a cat and was brought to office by ML.

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