emberzmars

Mischievous ML & touching wedding scene led to enjoyment of this drama

There are 4 versions using this plot. The first version is titled "The Tenderness of Wild Bones" starring Charon and Meng Lu. The second version is titled "Zero Ambiguity" starring Li Shengjie and Zhao Zaoer. The third version is titled "Gentle Wild Bones" starring Wang Chen Peng and Zhai Xin Ran. I came across the fourth version on Youtube but didn't continue watching past 2 minutes because FL was hostile towards ML that I was turned off. I watched this version second after completing Wang Chen Peng-Zhai Xin Ran's version.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I liked that he was mischievous and caring. This is my first time watching Li Sheng Jie and he did well in this role. I quite like that he was expressive (his smug look was perfect) and boyish handsome.
2. Romance - Their powder-keg relationship was entertaining especially the convenience store scene. This version had a role play session too hehehe. Their makeout sessions were hot because of the tension & framing.
3. Styling - I love her outfits from the black work suit and white jacket & white skirt to red swimsuit. Beautiful wedding dress. Her wardrobe looked expensive and elegant.
4. Music - Ed Sheeran's Perfect was played. Great choice!
5. Ending - This version has a wedding scene. Touching scene with FL's father. I love FL's bouquet!

What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - She was pitchy and her reactions to ML's teasing were quite hostile. However I liked her because she verbalised her gratitude for her husband's love. I think Zhao Zao Er was good in her role.
2. Status announcement - They informed that they were married to each other at their high school reunion. However I wish they had shown us when their colleagues found out about their relationship and how shocked they were.

Favourite scene
The wedding

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Sweet workplace romance with some bullying thrown in

I am a big fan of Chen Zheng Yang since I first watched him in ''Rose Beloved'. I am familiar with Zhang Ya Meng because I already watched 'Embrace in the Dark Knight'. I really enjoyed this drama.

What I liked:
1. Romance - What an elaborate scheme concocted by ML to be in a relationship with FL. Overall sweet romance with some spice.
2. FL characterisation - She was smart, hardworking & relatable. She wasn't spineless. Delighted to see Zhang Ya Meng as female lead because she has the acting chops & presence.
3. ML characterisation - He was a good boss and most importantly a devoted husband. I liked that he didn't hide his mum's identity from FL for too long. Chen Zheng Yang is great at smirking & gazing into his partner's eyes.
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL's best friend & ML's assistant a lot! ML's mum was nice too.

What I disliked:
1. Rival - Despite being smart & a worthy antagonist i.e. not a bimbo, she was a mean girl & acted like a petulant child. Too much screen time given to the rivalry between FL and SFL. Anyway the actress who played Xia Wanyu resembled American actress Leslie Bibb.
2. FL's mother - Ungrateful & manipulative.

Favourite scene
That scene at the start

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Great acting but the story was a mess

I am a massive fan of Guo Yu Xin and while I don't watch many Liang Si Wei dramas, I really enjoyed his acting in Define Your Style. I wondered how this drama would go because the introductory scene was filled with negativity. This drama was similar to a roller coaster ride.

What I liked:
1. Acting - This CP was a matching pair as both seemed to challenge each other's acting capability. The emotional scenes were emotionally intense for both actors.
2. Romance - This is a second chance romance drama. Once they reconciled, they were a sweet couple. There were also hot kissing scenes. One YouTube user even pointed out that Guo Yu Xin was a better kisser than Meng Na when paired with Liang Si Wei.
3. Supporting characters - I liked FL's bestie, mother & her male friend because they showed genuine concerns for her.

What I disliked:
1. FL's decision - I hated that FL never told ML about her illness early on when they were on good terms. She was a coward.
2. Ending - I didn't know what to deduce from the ending.
3. ML's behaviour - I disliked him for being cruel to FL once they reunited. Some scenes were stressful to watch.
4. Antagonist - ML's admirer & his mother were horrible.

Favourite scene
When FL requested for divorce around 40th minute mark

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Zhen Zi Qi was adorable as playful hubby but lack of chemistry couldn't save me from feeling bored

I am a fan of Zhen Zi Qi. Found this drama on Youtube a few days ago & watched it this evening before dinner. I have mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. Comedy - OMG the auction scene was hilarious! I have never seen 2 men competing against each other using those tactics hahaha.
2. Zhen Zi Qi - It's wonderful to see him in a light, comedic role. Gosh he looked so adorable when his character was playful with FL.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - There was too much resistance from FL even with 20 minutes to the end of the drama. They never discussed their marital problems so I was baffled about the reconciliation. I also couldn't feel any chemistry between Zhen Zi Qi & Teng Ze Wen.
2. FL characterisation - I found FL's multiple hats quite random & disconnected. By using this approach, I don't sense any depth in her characterisation.
3. Ending - WTH is the ending???
4. SFL - OMG ML's admirer calling him 'Jing Yun gege' every time she was on screen irritated me! Surprised she was punished after accumulation of a few successful scheming.

Favourite scene
The auction

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Affectionate & playful CP made me watch this drama on repeat

In my first month of my vertical Chinese drama exploration, I came across Dramazone Youtube channel. I had become a fan of Sun Yue so I was excited to watch this drama. Oh wow, I love it so much that I watch on repeat. Too bad the link can no longer be found on Youtube.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I must say I like coquettish MLs and this ML is definitely coquettish. He might be seen as a himbo but he's actually smart. Sun Yue always brings out sunny personality to his characters. That's why I enjoyed this ML.
2. FL characterisation - I loved that she was a qipao designer. Sucb a gorgeous collection. I also loved tnat sne was financially independent. She offered to take care of ML. This was my first Ma Qian Qian drama and I liked her acting as she was able to showcase both sassy & serious side of her character.
3. Romance - Top notch romance with a lot of kisses, innuendo & affectionate moments. The couple had each other's backs right from the start of their marriage. Ma Qian Qian & Sun Yue seemed so comfortable with each other.
4. Supporting character - FL's grandma was so supportive. Even ML's superior at the law firm was comical. I liked FL's bestie & ML's assistant whom looked familiar - are they Zhai Xinran & Wang Yi Lei?
5. Styling - I loved the outfits worn by FL, ML & some supporting characters. The characters were quite fashion savvy. My favourite FL outfit is the light pink jacket & mini skirt with cutout at the side.

What I disliked:
1. FL's admirer - He schemed to get FL's attention that she overlooked ML's call. He knew she was already in relationship with ML.

Favourite scene
When ML limped towards FL & then they had heart-to-heart conversation

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Good showcase of mental health disorder but final 15 minutes was a haste!

I enjoy Zhang Qi Xuan and Qiao Jia Le's dramas so I was delighted to find out that they have worked together. I was intrigued by the comments left on Youtube. Mental health issue is definitely not explored much in vertical drama space. That being said, I have mixed feelings about this drama.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Both Zhang Qi Xuan and Qiao Jia Le did well in their roles. I enjoyed their performances be it as their individual character or as a couple. They had good chemistry and I'd like to see them together in other dramas.
2. Romance - Their romance was a slow burn, which was a good choice by the writer & director considering FL's delicate state of mind. There were some nice kisses and other physical touch. I wish FL would show more desire/appreciation instead of overthinking ML's moves.
3. Mental health issue - It was done well but there was potential to go deeper with FL's lived experiences.
4. Supporting characters - In spite of the bad treatment, I actually liked FL's sis during a major reveal at 1:30:00 mark. To my surprise, she displayed compassion towards FL whom did not appreciate it unfortunately. Anyway I liked ML's assistant and grandma.

What I disliked:
1. Child issue - This arc was so underwritten that it didn't add much value to this drama. It could be omitted from the overall drama.
2. Third act - There were 3 major reveals in the last 15 minutes. Such lazy writing with this drama being 2 hours and 30 minutes long.
3. Ending - WTH is the ending about? It's like a random dream!

Favourite scene
When FL purchased and ate spicy dried fish

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Heartwarming family drama mixed with medical & military arcs

I have a girl crush on Zhang Chu Xuan. Out of her many dramas that I've watched, I am only disappointed with 1 drama. I tend to watch modern dramas but made an exception to this because of her and the high view count. I was surprised to find out that I watched this drama & Hu Yong Tao's drama with Guo Yuxin within the same day.

What I liked:
1. Su Wang Qing characterisation - Her character transmigrated from modern time to historical time. I enjoyed watching her character development. Zhang Chu Xuan was able to showcase the differences between pre-transmigration Wang Qing and post-transmigration Wang Qing.
2. Lu Shen Ting characterisation - I enjoyed watching his different personas: caring father, stern army general, resentful husband, loving husband & lover. I liked Hu Yong Tao in this drama more than that drama with Guo Yuxin.
3. Romance - Slow burn romance that made me swoon! There were many tender moments between FL & ML. Great chemistry between Zhang Chu Xuan and Hu Yong Tao. However I wish that kissing scene was longer.
4. Family theme - I enjoyed the family scenes whether it was the core 4 (FL, ML & their two kids), the villagers or the high ranking officer & his wife.
5. Supporting characters - Out of the 2 kids, the boy Xiaorui got more screentime. He was so adorable! Surprisingly I also liked SFL once she realised her limitations.
6. Outfits - I rarely saw historical time commoner outfits in vertical dramas so it's nice to see them here. I loved ML's army general outfit. Dang he looked so masculine and menacing, which reminded me of Blossoms in Adversity Hui Yi Tian's military persona.

What I disliked:
1. Medical expertise - I get it that she has knowledge from modern times but I think it's unbelievable that her knowledge expands wide fields within medicine from obstetrics to pharmacology. The writer was too ambitious. I dislike the conceive scenes because it was too far fetched!
2. SFL - Her voice got on my nerves! She seemed like she's always yelling whenever FL was around.
3. Duration - I think the drama is too long. I wish they had given more time to ML's general persona & trimmed FL's medical arcs since there were too many of them.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML punished their son for a bad deed

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Female CEO trying to get pregnant after leaving scumbag hubby

The moment I saw the title of this drama on YouTube ("female CEO borrows sperm pregnant, not know baby’s dad is a business mogul who's secretly loved her"), I was drawn. I am familiar to the works of Lu Lu Lu and Wang Nan - I think they did well for this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I like that a smart & assertive FL who also happens to be a CEO. Ex hubby was clingy and annoying and I think she handled him well. Oh I also liked that FL got a suitor other than ML & her ex husband.
2. Romance - I like how the relationship grew from sex buddy/sperm donor to a serious, committed relationship. There were many tender moments in the drama. It's also good to see how ML becoming more involved with FL's professional life.
3. Acting - Good acting by Lu Lu Lu, Wang Nan and LI Guanlin, who played Chu Ming the ex-hubby. Great chemistry between Lu Lu Lu and Wang Nan.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - FL's ex hubby was mean towards FL. He deserved the divorce but unfortunately he couldn't let go of her even though he knew he made a big mistake in their marriage. His harassment bothered me.

Favourite scene
When ML told off his nephew and claimed FL as his girlfriend

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Beautiful outfits, captivating main actor & cool supporting character

I watched this drama a few months ago when I was exploring Zhao Mu Yan dramas.

What I liked:
1. Styling - The traditional wedding dress at the start of the drama made a great impression on me. Zhao Mu Yan looked beautiful in it. I also liked the outfits worn by Zhao Mu Yan e.g. the pink perplum dress, the cream fluffy dress, the qipao, the wedding dress.
2. Romance - That first intimate scene between FL & ML caught my attention. It was hot. I also liked that they were affectionate with each other.
3. Zhang Yi Hong - I was impressed by his acting in this drama. He was good at displaying different emotions of his character. He has a distinctive nasally voice that I could recognise in later dramas that did not credit leads' names in the drama title.
4. Supporting characters - ML's assistant had the coolest hairstyle in all vertical dramas that I have watched.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - One of the most vicious antagonists I've seen in vertical dramaland.
2. Injuries - Both ML & FL were harmed at different points of the drama. Pity them!

Favourite scene
FL & ML making out in the car

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Well-paced story about business rivals falling in love

I enjoyed Xu Meng Yuan's acting in her drama with Wang Hao Xiang so I was excited to come across this drama. I also liked Fan Xiao Dong's acting in Fatal Allure.

What I liked:
1. Romance - Sweet romance when they were not antagonistic towards each other. There were some nice, heartfelt kisses.
2. Fan Xiao Dong - It's good to see him as a ML because I did think he had ML potential when I watched Fatal Allure. I like his character in this drama. He and his posseys provided comic relief. Hpwever I noticed Fan Xiao Dong looked like he's done something to his face. If it's true, what a shame!
3. Supporting characters - I really like both assistants to ML & FL. I also enjoyed the backstory for ML's love rival (actor is handsome).

What I disliked:
1. Rivalry - While I enjoyed watching them competing against each other, I think their bet was childish.
2. Product placement - There were too many ads of the same product throughout this microdrama.

Favourite scene
Flashback to the time FL & ML were in college

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Finished it feeling unfulfilled & disappointed...what a shame!

I added this drama to my Youtube watchlist a few months ago because of Zhang Jijun. Last night I wanted to watch something short (less than 2 hours) so I decided to finally watch this drama. Oh boy, I finished the drama feeling unfulfilled & disappointed.

What I liked:
1. FL's arc - She went through a lot and despite the hardships, I enjoyed her arc. I liked her reaction upon finding out about her biological family - she didn't acknowledge them.
2. ML's characterisation - I liked that ML was persistant in protecting FL and finding the connection between her and his childhood sweetheart.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's sister even though she didn't have much screen time. I also like ML's assistant.
4. Styling - I love FL's grey dress. I like the styling for ML and FL's biological brother. The antagonist & FL's mother also wore some nice outfits.
5. Li Zi Jie - OMG, that's Li Zi Jie in a supporting role. It's good to see him as a baddie because I have only watched him as ML.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I felt only ML was invested in their romantic relationship. There were some kissing scenes but they were lacklustre. FL didn't seem to enjoy his kisses.
2. Abuse - The amount of abuse suffered by FL is just too much.
3. Antagonist - She's one of the worst antagonists in vertical dramaland. She deserved her ending.
4. Writing / editing - The story seemed disjointed. There was a big revelation about FL roughly in the last 15 minutes of the drama but the impact of that revelation wasn't shown on screen. It's a shame because it's crucial to the relationship between FL & ML and between FL & her biological family. After the revelation, we were brought to the ending - a happy one but it felt out of place.

Favourite scene
When FL found out about her biological family

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Hilarious & heartwarming slowburn romance

I watched this drama on 10 February 2025. I wasn't familiar with the main actress nor main actor but the first 20 minutes was hilarious, I continued to watch this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I love a FL who is clear on her goals & driven to accomplish it. FL is sensible, smart & unintentionally funny. I really enjoyed Xu Meng Yuan's acting.
2. Comedy - This drama is hilarious thanks to ML's delusional thoughts. FL interactions with ML were mostly amusing too.
3. Romance - This is slowburn romance. There are very few physical touches. Instead the romantic feelings were expressed through their facial expressions & in some ways, acts of service.
4. Supporting characters - I liked the bodyguards who warmed towards FL, he was like a friend. I also liked Secretary Gao. She was rational & protective of FL once they became friends.
5. Styling - Xu Meng Yuan's hair was so beautiful. I also like some outfits worn by FL & her love rival.

What I disliked:
1. Feelings - Ideally I'd like to see more internal conflict when it comes to FL's feelings for ML. I was also irritated about ML's confused feelings because it was draggy.

Favourite scene
FL and her bodyguard at a love rival's party

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Outrageous is the one word I choose to describe this drama

I have seen some cuts of this drama on my Youtube dashboard. So I watched on a Sunday evening.

What I liked:
1. Visuals - This is my first Liu Lan Bo drama and omigosh he was extremely handsome. Like a vampire well I thought of Edward Cullen because I could imagine him sparking like diamonds when under the sun.
2. Styling - Styling for ML totally elevated Liu Lan Bo's handsomeness. I also liked styling for FL because she didn't look like Lolita despite being a 20 year old. FL's wedding dress is beautiful because it's simple & classy.
3. Supporting character - I liked ML's assistant, who was amusing at times.

What I disliked:
1. ML's characterisation - I dislike him as he was possessive, lunatic & disrespectful to FL. He never tried to get to know & understand FL.
2. Romance - Where are the wooing & the dates? ML was very aggressive towards FL, which I don't find romantic. I don't buy the 'FL had feelings for ML' even at the end. She remained with him because he was lesser of the two devils. Because of this odd dynamic, I didn't see any chemistry between Liu Lan Bo and Zheng Chenyu.
3. Screenplay - The screenplay felt disjointed. I noticed similarities with Captive Love from the Mob Boss (FL saving ML from his enemies, ML stalked & stopped FL from marrying someone else) then second act was inspired from kdrama Where the Phone Rings and third act was the big confrontation with the enemy. The ending was so anticlimactic.
4. FL characterisation - It's good that she never felt for ML's charms just because he was handsome and rich. However FL character elements weren't consistent. At the start she was struggling student working as delivery person but from second act, I didn't know what happened to her studies. What defined FL as an individual?

Favourite scene
When ML first met FL...that's the hook that made me curious about this drama.

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Deranged, dark revenge tale with good acting

I missed Wen Mo Yan's acting so when I checked her MDL profile, I found this drama intriguing. I have watched Ye Hao Ran and Wang Dao Tie dramas so I was excited to see all 3 in 1 drama.

What I liked:
1. Revenge arc - The most unpredictable revenge tale I have watched in vertical cdrama. I also enjoy the curveball thrown into the drama because nothing in life goes 100% according to plan.
2. FL characterisation - I like that she's driven to avenge her family. Her will wavered a bit much later but it is understandable.
3. ML characterisation - I could never tell what was on his mind so I enjoyed guessing his moves.
4. The ending - It's different from other revenge tales within vertical c dramaland. I liked it a lot!
5. Acting - Good acting even from supporting characters such as FL's mum & FL's friend. I like the actress who played the villain.

What I disliked:
1. Underdevelopment - I want to see more Wang Dao Tie! He had great chemistry with Wen Mo Yan in their other drama but too bad his character in this drama was underdeveloped.
2. Timejump - I think FL and ML's arcs after time jump were confusing at times. Well I wish writer had used different backstory for FL's friend/fake fiancee.

Favourite scene
After ML viewed contents of usb stick

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Beautifully shot scenes but the FL's behaviour led to lower rating

This version is the second adaptation of a familiar plot that I have watched. The first version I watched has Cao Tian Kai as ML & Zhang Shan as FL. I chose to watch this adaptation at the recommendation of few MDL users. This version is enjoyable but Cao Tian Kai-Zhang Shan version is better IMHO.

What I liked:
1. Shots - The first item that impressed me is the shot of each scene. Vivid colours and great framing for a vertically shot drama. My favourite sequence of shots is when ML carried FL from living room to his room. Beautiful!
2. Music - I like songs featured in this drama that I even shazam-ed those unfamiliar to me (e.g. It's You by Sam Kim featuring ZICO). It's wonderful to hear 'See the Light' instrumental version in the drama.
3. Homage - The camping scene reminds me of kdrama 'When the Phone Rings'. Well there was that instrumental song played in the background.
4. Acting - Overall good performances from the three leads despite the less-than-brilliant writing of their characters.

What I disliked:
1. FL characterisation - Song Shuang Xu is too timid/passive and childlike for my liking. Yes, she's 22 years old but I've seen more proactive same-aged characters in other vertical dramas. At first I thought she was a socialite but I was wrong, there were scenes of her presenting proposal in an internal meeting and an event with invited guests & media.
2. Romance - FL did more receiving than giving in this relationship. There were some great kisses but almost all were initiated by ML so it felt one-sided most of the time until FL reaffirmed their relationship in front of her family.
3. Hostility - ML's cousin Lu Manman and FL's adopted mother were hostile towards FL at the start of the drama. In Cao Tian Kai-Zhang Shan version, these two characters were lovable so of course I compared the characters in two versions. I also disliked Lu Manman's friends/followers - I mean who wears skirt to campsite? I also disliked FL's grandpa who never raised her but had a lot of opinion on FL's life choices.

Favourite scene
When FL asked ML "what do you want for your birthday?" and his response

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