emberzmars

Heartbreaking tale of a grieving mother betrayed by her husband

I was preparing a reddit post on a collection of Han Jia Hui dramas so I chose this one for research. I had never seen Zhou Hang's dramas before. Thank gosh drama is less than 1 hour because I was heartbroken.

What I liked:
1. Acting - This is the most dramatic role Han Jia Hui has portrayed. She was good in her role of a grieving mother and a betrayed wife. Zhou Hang did well in his role too - he wasn't over the top since his character was a moron. However I wish he expressed anguish when he found out about his son's passing.
2. Supporting character - I really liked FL's sister who was there during tough times.
3. Pacing - Well-paced and written. A betrayal tale told in less than 1 hour. It wasn't draggy.
4. Backstory - I appreciated that writer added a challenge for FL's sister. I also appreciated that writer made the antagonist a public figure so when she was brought down, she lost a lot.
5. Trust - I liked that trust was a value highlighted in this story. There was no point for reconciliation / support when the trust is gone.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - One of the most evil antagonists in vertical dramas - she harmed a child! Manipulative too. Her assistant was an idiot for agreeing to be an accomplice.
2. ML characterisation - He was an a$$hole for putting his & his white moonlight's needs first. For a successful lawyer, he was a moron for not checking for his son's health updates.
3. Cheating - Even though the relationship of ML and antagonist was lawyer-client and not lovers, I still considered him as a cheater. Emotional cheating because he prioritised his ex over his wife and believed every single thing his ex said.

Favourite scene
When the antagonist's lies were exposed

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Moving drama about found family but beware of the abuse at the start of the drama.

When the drama was first released, I was drawn to the translated title - Ten-Year-Old Wolf Girl Transforms into a Playboy Father. I thought this would be a fantasy drama that involves transfiguration. A reddit friend and I did a buddy watch and later co-wrote a review on subreddit CShortDramas. Even though the drama didn't meet my fantasy expectation, I enjoyed it.

Trigger warning: Child abuse

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I really liked her tenacity. She was also smart in selecting a guardian in her new life.
2. Acting - I really enjoyed the child actress’ acting. Wish I could find out her name because it isn’t listed on any of my regular websites including Weibo. I was delighted to see Zhang Yi Hong on screen because it’s been ages since I last watched his drama.
3. ML characterisation - He was like a lost person who had no direction in life at the start of the drama. It was good to see the uncle grew mature from a unserious playboy uncle to a protective and kind guardian / surrogate father.
4. Dynamics - I enjoyed watching the uncle-niece relationship. How they helped each other to get out of their bad place.
5. Supporting characters - I really liked Assistant Wang and Grandma Chen.
6. Styling - The wolf skin-coat and headgear that FL wore at the start of the drama was cool. She was a pretty girl wearing those dresses.

What I disliked:
1. Child abuse - I was distressed with the chains and abuse! I couldn’t believe her biological family would treat her like a caged animal in a zoo.
2. Antagonists - FL’s biological father is a scumbag. I don’t understand the beef he has with FL. I couldn’t believe Grandpa Lu didn’t ask house staff to remove chains from FL. FL's mother and sister were nasty too. I can’t blame the younger sister for being mean because she was taught by her parents to be a mean girl.

Favourite scene
When Lu Chi Yu persuaded Lu Yan Xi to take up her biological father’s challenge and play billiards.

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I liked FL and how she faced challenges but the romance was underdeveloped

I discovered this drama through subreddit CShortDramas. I am fan of Cui Yi Liang and while I don't watch many Gao Ming dramas, I like his face card. Decided to watch it today and I liked the drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was smart, kind & has a backbone. I loved it when she scolded ML for being wishy washy about his feelings for his supposed fiancee.
2. Dynamics - This boss-employee relationship was threaded carefully. I liked that FL never crossed the line even though she started noticing her growing feelings for ML.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's right hand man. His observations & remarks were entertaining. FL's male best friend was likeable too. ML's grandmother was alright.
4. Workplace - A lot of the episodes revolved around FL at work and I enjoyed watching her solve work challenges. The jealous colleague arc was fascinating because it mimics real life experience (Felix envious of FL because he didn't get the role).
5. The reveal - Ooooo the antagonist was humiliated.
6. Styling - FL got nice modest (look & price) outfits for her work clothes. I really liked the two wedding gowns FL wore. Cui Yi Liang was gorgeous!

What I disliked:
1. ML's action - For not being honest with himself about his feelings for his "saviour". He should have come clean with her after a couple of months living together. I disliked that he toyed with feelings of 2 women.
2. Antagonist - FL's best friend was obsessed with wealth & status that she claimed to be someone she was not. She was manipulative and vicious - would even harm her best friend just to become ML's wife.
3. Romance - I could see the growing feelings they had for each other but I wouldn't categorise them as romantic action. To me, ML's actions were emotional cheating despite her fiancee being a nasty b!tch. I wish writer had done the ultimate reveal 5 episodes earlier with remaining episodes focused on the actual romance (kissing, hand-holding, dating) scenes.
4. Threats - Pity FL for going through too many incidents orchestrated by her best friend. I lost track of those incidents until FL said them out loud during a discussion.

Favourite scene
When FL scolded ML for being wishy washy about his feelings for his fiancee

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Frustrating tale of married strangers who didn't bother to check marriage certificate

I wasn't planning to watch this drama but a reddit friend mentioned that this is her favourite Guo Yu Xin drama. I like both GYX and Zhang Li Ren so I decided to watch it yesterday when I needed a light drama.

What I liked:
1. Main characters - They were likeable despite their lack of communication problem.
2. Relationship - It was apparent that ML was smitten by FL from their first encounter. ML was boss to FL.
3. Styling - I liked the clothes worn by GYX & ZLR in this drama. That white dress gave a Audrey Hepburn twist to her style. Very chic!
4. Supporting characters - FL's supervisor was perceptive, thank gosh.
5. Ending - I liked it even though it's abrupt.

What I disliked:
1. Communication - I'd say the villain in this drama is themselves. I knew ML travelled abroad for work for 1 year but why didn't they keep in touch? It frsutrated me when he made assumption over a background noise.
2. Cheating - I felt like they were emotional cheating even though it turned out that they were married to each other. I didn't like this aspect of their relationship.
3. Romance - Their romance was slow burn since they were attached to other people. It sucks that they never checked their marriage certificate like until 10 minites before this drama ended. Then they were only 2 or 4 minutes of dating before The End appeared. Frustrating.

Favourite scene
The ending

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Age gap romance with sweet & spice. Antagonists had too much screentime

I added this drama to my watchlist months ago but forgot about it until today when a reddit friend mentioned it. So I watched it and it was mostly enjoyable.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I liked that they were affectionate with each other. ML was smitten with her and when he saw her a month after their one night stand, he seemed determined to get to know her. FL also was genuinely interested with ML.
2. Main characters - They were likeable & nice people. I like that ML told FL not to be nice to unkind people and she followed suit.
3. Supporting characters - ML's mother was MVP for welcoming FL into their lives with open arms. She was the romantic one in the family.
4. Acting - Good performances by Zheng Cheng Yue & Zhang Xuan. Their chemistry was great.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Jiao Jiao got away with being mean too many times. Her antics were tiresome and glad she received retribution at the end. FL's ex was a scumbag. FL's mom & brother were self-absorbed.
2. Duration - This drama was close to 3 hours. I found the bullying scenes draggy - writer & director should have cut them off. I prefer more scenes of FL & ML romance.

Favourite scene
When ML & FL kissed in the living room

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Surprisingly sweet story of a rebirth. Nice to see both leads in soft roles!

It had been awhile since I last watched Zhang Yun Tao dramas. This drama is available in iQIYI so I decided to make use of my paid subscription. I must say I was surprised by the story. I assumed this would be an aggressive revenge drama but it turned out to be a sweet second chance at life drama.

What I liked:
1. Rebirth trope - Both FL & SFL were given second chance at life after their "incident" in the past life. It was interesting to see how both deal with their fate post-rebirth.
2. FL characterisation - I assumed she wanted to seek revenge towards SFL but she didn't. She focused on her life instead. I liked that she's sweet & kind.
3. Romance - Very sweet with a dash of spice. I liked how warm they were with each other - they held hands right after getting marriage certificate even though they were strangers. Acts of service is their love language.
4. ML characterisation - I didn't like the deception but he was sweet & caring guy. I liked that he put his wife's needs first and is protective of her.
5. Acting - It was great to see both Xue Zi Qi and Zhang Yun Tao in soft roles. The couple in this drama had that sweet & quiet type of partnership, they had good chemistry that translated well on-screen.
6. Styling - ML's clothes were beautiful for a "driver". FL's clothes represent normal, daily wear of a woman in their 20s and I liked that.
7. Supporting characters - I liked ML's assistant & grandpa.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Shen Ting Ting was a bully. I was surprised she could hang out at the office despite not working there. Anyway she was the type of didn't want to be accountable for her choices & actions. It's funny that she assumed making one decision (about marriage) could secure her future. Her husband & mother were horrible too.
2. Traitor - I wish there was more focus / ML's perspective on this arc because it was interesting.

Favourite scene
Morning after

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Brilliantly written vertical drama about office romance in fashion industry

I had never watched Song Chen drama and today I felt like watching his drama. I checked his MDL profile and the drama title caught my attention. Since Jwells mentioned raw video on iQIYI platform, I tried searching on my iQIYI app and voila, found the drama. I must say I was very impressed by the writing & directing elements of this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was fairly new in the city and at the fashion industry but never easily intimidated. I liked her can-do spirit & problem solving capability.
2. Writing - OMG this drama gave me US movie Devil Wears Prada vibe but the boss wasn't as aloof as Miranda Priestley. I loved that the drama covers professional & personal challenges in almost equal amount. This drama has depths.
3. ML characterisation - ML strived for perfection but he was never cruel to his employees. I liked that he was flawed and slowly his walls were brought down by FL. I also liked that he was a self-made successful fashion editor-in-chief.
4. Romance - Slowburn but satisfying. There were many sweet moments and good kisses. There is an almost spicy scene haha you know how it goes in vertical dramas.
5. Acting - I was impressed by Song Chen & Kan Zi Yi's performance. KZY's FL was endearing and SC was cool & emptionally restraint at first but showed some vulnerability as the story progressed.
6. Styling - Impeccable in particular ML's outfits. Damn he looked like a supermodel - I liked his height & build! FL and Daisy's clothes were beautiful & chic too.
7. Supporting characters - I liked Li Xia the coffee shop owner. ML's brother and childhood friend were likeable too.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - I felt the antagonist's arc was too simplified. It would be nicer if there was some buildup in the middle of the drama.

Favourite scene
When ML professed his love for ML

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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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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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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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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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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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