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Hilarious & warm tale about an actress & a CEO in a fake relationship
I was on reelxia browsing their catalogue when I saw this drama. I had been looking for vertical dramas with contract relationship and this one fitted the bill. I watched it on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed myself a lot!What I liked:
1. Romance - They were intoxicated and had a one-night stand but feelings started to grow soon after. ML was totally smitten by FL. I liked the kisses and sweet moments.
2. FL characterisation - She was smart & quick thinker. I was delighted that she took advantage of their contract relationship and used ML's status & influence to her advantage.
3. ML characterisation - He was sweet & nice. I liked that he was genuinely concerned about FL 90% of the time.
4. Supporting characters - Yan Yu & ML's assistant were outstanding.
5. Acting - Great performances by Zuo Yi and Chen Zheng Yang. Their comedic timing was impeccable and their chemistry was great.
6. Acting demo - The scenes when FL put her acting skills to use were hilarious. I particularly loved it when director asked FL to demonstrate how a villain should act to her rival who stole the role from FL.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - There were 2 jealous rivals: Bai Fei Fei & Yuan Meng. Both of them were evil in their scheming.
2. ML's action - I disliked when he chose Yuan Meng over FL.
Favourite scene
When director asked FL to demonstrate acting to the rival who sucked at portraying a villain
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Genuinely surprised by the warmth of this fake relationship story
I was searching fake relationship vertical dramas and this drama was in the search results. I had watched Meng Jia Hui dramas before but I wasn't familiar with Zhang Yu Tian. This drama exceeded my expectations - I liked it a lot!What I liked:
1. Writing - A well-written vertical drama. I liked that it took time to establish a contract relationship but the drama didn't drag secret part. The fake identity was out by halfway mark.
2. Comedy - This drama was hilarious & lighthearted.
3. Romance - Slow burn but satisfying. I liked that ML was upfront about pursuing FL after secret was out. I could sense their growing feelings despite the difficult situations they were facing.
4. FL characterisation - Despite the deception, I liked her because she was nice, smart & endearing. She was also a great friend. Zhang Yu Tian was great in this role.
5. ML characterisation - Overall he was sweet & straightforward. I liked that he didn't deny his feelings for FL despite the deception.
6. Supporting characters - FL's bestie was awesome! I also liked ML's grandma & FL's mother - the former was funny while the latter gave food for thought.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Thankfully there were no evil people in this drama. FL's friend Lin Feng was conniving and I was delighted FL immediately realised his bad behaviour. Director Hu was disgruntled employee who was angry for getting caught at receiving kickbacks.
Favourite scene
When FL's mother talked to ML
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Moved by leads' performances in this heartwarming tale of reformed gangster lady
I was drawn to this drama because of the Google translated title, which had these words: reborn, 1990, domineering or gangster lady. I thought it could be a remake of a drama about a reformed gangster lady married to wheelchair-bound guy starring Liu Can. Turned out I was right. I enjoyed this drama immensely and felt this version was much better than its predecessor.What I liked:
1. Opening - What a badass intro!
2. Styling - I loved the curly hair - very much early 90s grunge look. I also liked the various outfits that signified the various stages of FL's life.
3. Romance - It was clear that FL truly loved ML. There were playful banters and teasing initiated by her. I was moved twice - i) when FL carried ML piggyback style, ii) that discussion close to the ending. I also noticed that ML in this version was genuinely interested in FL (version 1 ML seemed to intoxicated when they had their one-nigh stand).
4. FL characterisation - She was smart, intuitive & physically strong. She knew how to use available resources - I liked that.
5. Business idea - Her business & partnership ideas were better written in this version. Selling milk tea was a great idea.
6. Supporting characters - I loved Lele, their son. Cinema owner Boss Huang was likeable and so were the reformed gangsters.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family was terrible. Never treated her right but kept asking for money. FL's sister was another horrible person.
Favourite scene
The conversation FL & ML had close to the ending
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Doppelganger story ruined by FL's stupidity
Yes, after a few weeks of release I finally got a link with English subtitles. I think I have seen bts clip of Huang Bo holding a baby in his Douyin account. I watched it today and hhhhmm had mixed feelings about this drama.What I liked:
1. Acting - Huang Bo played two characters who look alike (doppelganger). Great performances although I wish his real-life twin had played the supporting character.
2. Opening scene - I watched this drama without knowing its synopsis. I was shocked by the first 4 minutes. A doppelganger story always fascinated me.
3. Third act - The plot twist caught me by surprise and I liked it very much.
4. Duration - I liked that it's less than 90 minutes but intense.
5. Supporting characters - I liked FL's two friends because they were sensible. The male friend was handsome. Adult Tangtang was smarter than her mother.
What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - OMG she was stupid & gullible. How could you not notice that the strange man wasn't your husband!
2. Bullying - I hated the forced marriage scene when both FL and Tangtang were bullied by antagonist's wife & son.
Favourite scene
Flashback when Tangtang remembered & repaid "Uncle" 's kindness
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Flawed revenge tale but yacht scene is the best part
I am a fan of Cui Yi Liang so I was intrigued when I saw the poster of this drama. I watched it on a Saturday afternoon the same week as its release and felt it was a meh drama.What I liked:
1. Acting - Cui Yi Liang & the actress whonplayed the antagonist were good in their role.
2. FL characterisation - She was headstrong & determined to see her revenge plan executed well.
3. Supporting characters - I liked her best friend & teacher.
4. Styling - FL looked elegant. I liked ML's black jacket with light blue-white embroidery. The styling for antagonist was done well as the clothes highlighted class difference.
What I disliked:
1. Writing - I must have watched too many revenge dramas for me to have high expectations whenever a revenge drama is out. However this drama didn't offer anything new. There were too many plot holes that I became disinterested once FL had failing out with ML.
2. Antagonist - She was nasty but I wasn't sure she got retribution.
3. Length - The drama was close to 2.5 hours and it was draggy for me.
4. Romance - They started off great with good push and pull dynamics. However after the antagonist returned, their chemistry went down the drains. I didn't buy the romance.
Favourite scene
The yacht
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Transmigration, family & business rivalry are the important elements of this drama
I noticed this drama on iQIYI and got curious. I hadn't watched Zhang Qi Xuan drama in long time. I watched this morning and was pleasantly surprised by its storytelling & acting.What I liked:
1. Acting - Top grade acting by Zhang Qi Xuan & Liu Yu Hang. Those emotional scenes were heartbreaking that I was moved to tears. On top of that, they got great chemistry.
2. FL characterisation - She was assertive & smart. Also kind enough to help the Gu family to stay afloat while the eldest sibling was comatose. I liked her lesson plans for the younger brothers.
3. Romance - While ML was in "coma", there was no two-way interactions between them. However ML fell hard for FL as she continued to show her resilience and smartness. Their first kiss was extremely hot with ML kissing FL like he was parched. Later we got to see ML pursuing FL and I liked those scenes.
4. Supporting characters - I really liked the second & third brothers. ML's assistant was unintentionally funny too.
5. Family - Family is the core theme of this drama. From ML to antagonist.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Formidable antagonists - they were business rivals who were hungry for money & status. Jiang Lei was evil mastermind - he didn't mind fatality whenever his plans were executed. Jiang Yichen was a delusional goon. Song Qingyun was another scumbag.
2. The Gu daughter - Gosh, she was so gullible. I couldn't believe she betrayed her family just because she was suspicious of FL's change in character. She should have confronted or at least discussed with her brothers.
Favourite scene
When FL scolded the youngest Gu sibling
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Exciting first act but after that comes a typical jealous love rival arc
I was in the mood for flash marriage trope so I looked up my iQIYI app and found this title. Bai Xue Ru is fast becoming my favourite actress and Wang Yan Xin is so damn handsome and tall. The first act of the drama was exciting but when second act came, it had the typical jealous love rival arc which didn't offer anything new. I wish they had stayed with the master-servant arc.What I liked:
1. Acting - Bai Xue Ru was awesome in her role. She conveyed different emotions very well. While I liked Wang Yan Xin in this role, I wish he pushed himself more during emotional moments.
2. First act - Damn, the master-servant arc was fascinating. I wish it was explored further especially when she was pregnant because I didn't think this special dynamic was just related to sex.
3. Dynamics - I liked FL-ML dynamic from boss-employee then to master-servant & husband-wife. I also enjoyed watching the son interactions with his dad.
4. Supporting characters - Their kid was so adorable. I also liked FL's grandma & ML's grandpa.
5. Styling - I liked the clothes worn by ML, FL and their kid.
6. Tone - This is a lighthearted story with some spicy moments (love them!). FL certainly made an impression on ML.
What I disliked:
1. Romance - Even though I could sense them falling for each other, I wish there were many scenes of their romantic entanglement. They married for convenience. So what made them realise that their relationship was more than just master-servant?
2. Antagonists - There was the usual delusional love rival, Yanyin who couldn't accept ML's rejection of her. I also disliked ML's uncle & aunt who each had their own plans to inherit Xie family wealth.
Favourite scene
When ML was aroused after FL scolded him
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When a cat princess meets a sickly and prickly human
I have had this drama in my watchlist for a few weeks and decided to watch it on Saturday evening. I enjoyed it immensely!What I liked:
1. Tone - It started with a bang and overall the drama was lighthearted and comedic. I liked it a lot!
2. FL characterisation - I liked her kind, cheerful and bubbly personality. She was a princess but wasn't a spoilt brat. She listened to advice from her mentor / watcher, ML's cat & grandma.
3. Acting - I have only watched a handful of Sun Qian Xun's drama and I must say her acting was fantastic in this drama. This is my second time watching Li Bo Yan and I liked his acting here too. Both of them had fabulous chemistry.
4. ML characterisation - He was sickly and prickly but overall kind. He was suspicious of FL's secret identity but never confronted her. In fact he protected her and I liked that.
5. Fantasy - I loved the use of different elements e.g. superpower, talking to animals, teleportation.
6. Styling - FL had fantastic feline-like outfits & hairstyle - I loved it! ML's outfits were good too - I liked the maroon-black combo.
7. Romance - Slow but there was affection. Good kisses and there was even 2 spicy moments.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - FL's sister was jealous & delusional. She knew no shame with the threat and posing as somebody else.
2. FL's action - I wish FL didn't resist ML's attempts at intimacy too many times.
Favourite scene
When FL seduced ML to accomplish her goal
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Started off great but the romance never really kicked off
I was trying to clear as many dramas in my youtibe watchlist by watching dramas with MDL pages. This evening I chose this drama because I hadn't seen any of Zhao Hui Nan's dramas. This drama started off great but faltered halfway through.What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was cool. I loved that she was physically strong and also knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine.
2. Comedy - I didn't expect the comedic moments in the first act considering the dark opening scene.
3. Supporting characters - I liked both kids, ML's mother and grandfather. It was great to see change of perception from the mother.
4. Acting - I liked Zhao Hui Nan's acting in this drama. Her action scenes were done well and she exuded this cool & confident woman vibe.
5. Styling - I liked most of FL's outfits especially the black short dress she wore when she first went to ML's house. She looked like a punk princess!
What I disliked:
1. Romance - I was dismayed that they didn't get along until we reached 60% of the drama. I wish they were warm & amicable from the start because the emotional attachment between FL and ML in the third act was unconvincing. I didn't sense any spark between ZZD & ZHN.
2. Antagonists - FL's father was horrendous for framing FL . ML's cousin was incompetent but power hungry. He did the most scheming in this drama. I also disliked Suisui's supposed birth mother for being selfish & immature.
3. Paternity test - Sometimes I wonder why ML never did DNA testing on FL and the other woman.
4. Storytelling - I wasn't excited about the challenges faced by both FL & ML.
Favourite scene
The opening
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Heartwarming tale about adapting oneself after a memory gap
I had seen Ma Le Jie dramas when I first explored vertical dramas. After 3 dramas, I deliberately avoided her dramas because she always played damsels in distress and cried a lot. However this drama came with positive reviews and since I had not seen any Li Bo Yan dramas, I decided to watch it today. I enjoyed it immensely.What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - FL had the mind of her 18 year old self when in reality she was 10 years older. I liked that she was sensible & righteous despite the confusion. She did act impulsively once but that was based on her strong gut feeling which turned out to be the right decision.
2. Romance - Slow but rewarding. There were good kisses but what hit me the most were the conversations they had with each other. For example, FL asked ML what she was like at 28 years old. That was heartearming moment because it showed that ML knew FL through and through. I also loved the big argument because that was when their relationship was really tested. When trust is broken, a relationship falters.
3. Pop culture - I liked the scenes of idol worshipping because it reflected real life. Delusional fans are PR nightmare. Anyway I liked how FL tackled that challenge.
4. ML characterisation - The moment ML made his entrance at the start of the drama was amusing because of Lighter & Princess song. Anyway ML was patient and loving man. I liked that he was supportive at work - helping FL with her work challenges.
5. Acting - I liked Ma Le Jie's acting in this drama. I wish she upped the emotions when FL was slandered by the antagonist & their colleagues at the work event. Anyway MLJ got good chemistry with Li Bo Yan. I liked his acting too and will check out his other dramas.
6. Styling - Great outfits for both FL & ML. I liked FL's black top & black skirt she wore to work. Li Bo Yan's shirts were rarely buttoned - nice chest!
7. Length - The running time is 1 hour 45 minutes. Easy to watch & digest.
Disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's secretary was unprofessional. She did some scheming to get FL into trouble. She should put her personal feelings aside at work.
Favourite scene
When a misunderstanding escalated into a big argument.
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Short tale of love and sacrifices for one's happiness
I had saved this drama in my playlist for weeks but this morning decided to watch it because I was in the mood for something short. I was unfamiliar with Wang Jin but I liked Zhang Li Ren's acting. This drama is different from the typical Chinese vertical dramas I have seen. I wonder what was in the writer's mind when they wrote the screenplay.What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - There was character development in ML. He was a miserable man who later received "a guardian angel" in the form of FL. He was silly to entertain requests from bai yue guang but learned the truth and tried to win FL's heart.
2. Acting - I liked Wang Jin & Zhang Li Ren's performance.
3. Opening - Captivating enough for me to finish the whole drama.
4. Ending - Wow, I didn't expect it to end like that.
5. Reality hits - I loved it when the maid scolded ML for being so oblivious of FL's treatment towards him.
What I disliked:
1. Misery - So much misery in this drama. ML & FL felt miserable at one point of their lives.
2. Relationship - The moment Yunli met Yanchen was short but meaningful. I wish there was explanation in the past.
Favourite scene
When FL & ML had fun spending time together
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This drama with reversed gender role was a letdown. I didn't buy their romance
I came across this drama on subreddit CShortDramas and was intrigued by FL because reviewer said FL was domineering. Since this drama was available on iQIYI and I needed to utilise my subscription, I decided to watch this afternoon. Drama didn't quite meet my expectations.What I liked:
1. Acting - I really liked their acting as their individual characters and as a couple. Wang Yun Yun and Wang Kai Mu had good chemistry. I was moved by their performances in one or two scenes.
2. Supporting characters - FL's Vice President turned out to be a nice guy.
3. FL characterisation - I had mixed feelings about her character. I liked that she was goal-oriented and generous with charity work. I also liked that she never talked bad about Gu Ling Ling.
4. Hopsitalisation - It was sweet to see their relationship grew when FL was hospitalised for her injury.
5. Styling - I liked FL's outfits because they gave off "money & power" vibes. Wang Kai Mu looked good in the blue suit.
6. Intimacy - I liked the bathtub scene.
What I disliked:
1. Romance - I disliked FL's pursuit of ML. To me, she treated him as a commodity. That attitude of "I have the means to get whatever I want and I want him". ML was so resistant at the start that I didn't buy that he genuinely fell in love with her. She saved him from an attack so when he started to question his feelings for FL, it seemed more like gratitude not love. Overall, this drama had too many "push dynamics" so the relationship felt forced, to me.
2. Antagonists - Gu Ling Ling was annoying brat. I hated her for playing a victim. Her brother & uncle were despicable too. Too bad brother got jailed because Gu Ling Ling's arc was draggy & boring. I was hoping the brother sought revenge.
3. Writing - For a 82 episode series, this drama felt "underdeveloped" & "unsatisfying". I wish there was a few episodes of ML connecting with his biological family, working to establish himself as Young Master Pei and reflecting on his relationship with FL & Gu family.
4. ML characterisation - His character felt very two-dimensional to me. I disliked that he didn't believe when the staircase incident happened.
Favourite scene
They spent quality time together when FL was hospitalised
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Cheating drama told from perspective of victim the ML
I added missing Ding Hai Zia dramas recently so I thought to myself "Let’s watch this drama". I like Ye Ting's acting in The Cost of Treachery.What I liked:
1. Plot - This is a cheating drama and I liked that story is told from the perspective of ML (FL emotionally cheated on hubby ML).
2. ML characterisation - I liked that gender reversal role was explored here - ML was homemaker when he was married to FL. He was kind, loyal and loving but underappreciated by wife.
3. Supporting characters - ML was adopted by FL's family when he was a child and they grew up together. I really liked the adopted parents because they were kind and sensible. ML found his biological family when he was an adult and I liked his biological family because they were warm.
4. Acting - I really liked Ye Ting's performance in this drama.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's sister was a brat. I was surprised of her behaviour considering she should have grown up alongside both FL & ML. I also disliked FL's bai yue guang but the actor's voice was nice.
2. FL characterisation - Ungrateful wife who betrayed feelings of her husband. I disliked her for being condescending towards ML despite the pleas of getting back together. FL claimed she knew the difference between love and gratitude but didn't seem to truly understand those words when she kept insulting ML.
3. Art gallery - This scene was draggy - FL was condescending to ML multiple times by reminding ML that he was an orphan.
4. Ending - The ending felt disconnected because there was no scene of FL finally accepting her situation.
Favourite scene
When ML had hid first meal with his biological family
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Young CEO smitten by cool, smart & badass high school student
I had been looking for this drama for months after being a fan of Zhang Ruo Chen's acting. Links were not available until today when I saw it on Dailymotion under the title 'Bow Down The Killer Queen is Back'. I was excited, clicked play then informed Jwells. Unfortunately the videos had been marked private once I was halfway through the drama. Anyway glad I managed to finish this drama.What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked her because she could kick ass. She was smart, mature & self-reliant, most likely because of her past life.
2. Styling - Loved her outfits especially that punk princess look she wore at a special event.
3. Supporting characters - ML's assistant & doctor friend provided comic relief. I also liked ML's mother but her reaction during the kidnapping baffled me.
4. ML characterisation - He was smitten by FL after she rescued him from an attack. He protected FL with his money & influence. He was Mr Nice Guy but it was weird to see a boss in his 20s having a crush on a high school girl.
5. Dynamics - ML fell in love with FL and pursued her but she didn't want to feel indebted. I liked that this was explicitly mentioned because a lot of times main characters confuse gratitude with love. I wouldn't categorise their relationship as romantic but FL did eventually fall for ML.
6. Acting - I really liked Zhang Ruo Chen and Zhu Yi Wei's acting.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's sister & mother were sinister. The constant jealousy & scheming was tiring. I also disliked ML's nephew and their classmate who bullied FL.
2. FL's past - I was disappointed that her life before rebirth / transmigration was not explored in this story.
Favourite scene
FL went into ML's car then rescued him from an attack
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Tragic love story with flawed main characters & superb acting
I was in the mood for Wang Chen Peng drama so I lookes at my list and found this title. This drama raised a lot of questions but overall I liked it.What I liked:
1. Acting - Superb acting by Zuo Yi and Wang Chen Peng. I felt like both of them pushed each other that led to best performances.
2. Romance - There were 2 love stories in this drama: (i) FL with Lin Mo, and (ii) FL with ML. Both were tragic but there were sweet moments. The kisses between Zuo Yi and Wang Chen Peng were hot. I loved the one in the darkroom.
3. ML characterisation - I empathised with him the most. He was a stand-in for FL's dead fiancé. He truly loved FL but couldn't accept the deception which was understandable.
4. Ending - I liked it because I think they needed time apart. Hope she got therapy during those years apart.
5. Supporting characters - FL's doctor friend had feelings for her but never pushed FL into a romantic relationship. I was surprised when he helped ML - eeerrrmm wouldn't he lose his medical license? I also liked Lin Mo's mother, who reminded me of the mother in The Love of a Fool.
What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - I understood that she was flawed, emotionally vulnerable after death of her fiancé. I disliked her for toying with ML's feelings in the name of revenge because her fiancé's death wasn't the fault of ML. I also disliked her for blackmailing ML by endangering herself. She badly needed therapy.
2. ML's actions - His desperate attempts to get FL to leave him were no-no for me.
Favourite scene
When both FL and ML were in the darkroom
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