emberzmars

Dry like overcooked chicken

I am usually intrigued by reborn-revenge tales that made FL appreciates and pursues ML. I rarely watched Wang Gege's dramas so I thought why not watch this drama because it had more than 2 million views. I was left disappointed.

What I liked:
1. Visual - It is my first time watching Wang Bo drama and I find him handsome like elite, old money heir. Perhaps the styling contributed to that thought. I also like FL's long dress as it higlights her willowy silhouette.
2. Supporting characters - Mr Gu was off at first but I like him once he acknowledged FL. The actress who played FL's sister looked so familiar but I can't recall her name.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I like it when FL is coquettish and affectionate with her husband especially when given second chance. However I didn't see any flirty behaviour in this drama. FL-ML relationship felt more like friends helping each other rather than lovers. Their romance was dry like an overcooked chicken.
2. Antagonist - FL's love rival is the most annoying out of the 3 antagonists. Her constant scheming was tiring.

Favourite scene
When ML & FL were lying on hospital bed

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Underdeveloped romance - I want more!

I am a fan of Chen Zheng Yang and recently discovered & enjoyed Yu Xiao Wan's drama about body swap. I was excited to find out that they collaborated through this drama. Had high expectations but unfortunately not met.

What I liked:
1. Comedy - Gosh I didn't expect comedy bits to come from Chen Zheng Yang. His character was a goofball. ML's assistant was funny too.
2. Styling - Yu Xiao Wan looked radiant after turning over a new leaf. Love the red dress on her!

What I disliked:
1. Romance - It is underdeveloped. By the end of the drama, I still felt that the love was one-sided or at least FL got together with ML because it's logical/strategic rather than because she wants to explore real love.
2. Growth - This drama is centred on FL but unfortunately there is lack of character development for her. Yes, she quit her job because her boss didn't appreciate her but her journey post-resignation was easy as she was supported by ML.

Favourite scene
When ML jumped into swimming pool

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Second couple was fascinating to watch!

I was intrigued by this drama because of Miles Wei and
I have to admit that this is my first 'Miles Wei as main character drama'. Surprisingly I recognise Ke Ying (I love A Familiar Stranger). You are My Secret took me awhile to finish but once I hit halfway mark, I became more invested in the show. A great watch!

What I liked:
1. Rao Jing characterisation - I love her because she is smart, assertive, go getter. She is not a Mary Sue - her flaw gave an opportunity for her colleague to be part of her personal life, which makes her arc fascinating.
2. Zhao Fang Gang characterisation - He is like a class clown because he lights up the office. I also enjoyed his arc because I got to see his serious and unfriendly / insecure side.
3. Romance - Wow, secret office romance was hot. I actually enjoyed second couple romance more than main couple romance because second couple has fiery dynamics with the constant bickering. Their kisses were blazing hot. The third couple romance was enjoyable to watch too despite the shorter screen time.
4. Money issue - There were few instances where money became main issue for a character / couple. The fight between third couple was hard to swallow because it was a dealbreaker.
5. Acting - Overall great acting by the cast! I like the comic relief provided by Fang Gang and his two followers haha.
6. Visuals - The actors & actresses are good looking but not movie star good looking, which I like. I love Karlina Zhang's beautiful eyes.
7. Bank setting - I enjoy the cases presented at the bank. They seemed challenging & realistic.
8. Main characters' growth - I like that both main characters made mistakes and learn from them.

What I disliked:
1. Tang Yu Hui - Wow, she was delulu! Good thing she finally noticed that trait at the end of her arc.
2. Xiao Ning's characterisation - At first I dislike her character because I found her to be sheltered for a 27 year old woman. It annoyed me when she didn't know ML's coffee preference when they lived together!

Favourite scene
Second couple's second kiss 🔥

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Purely revenge tale that is a satisfying watch

I don't remember how I came across this drama but upon reading user comments, I decided it was worth watching. It was indeed.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Well cast drama from main characters (FL, ML) to supporting characters such as ML's father, ML's bro, ML's mother & FL's mother. Liu Xi Yu carried her role well despite having an angelic face. The actor who played ML's brother caught my attention. Too bad I don't know his name because I'd love to watch more of his work. It was also nice to see the actress who played FL's mother as I enjoyed her acting and visual in another drama. I also was surprised to see ML being turned on - eeerrmm Qian Zhe was hot.
2. Revenge plot - This drama focuses on revenge. There are "romance" scenes but there are intentional for the purpose of revenge. Even though I could predict FL's plans, it was satisfying to see her sticking to her plans.
3. Kink - I was shocked. I didn't expect to see an adult playroom in a Chinese drama!
4. Manipulative - It is an important theme in this drama as it is exercised by several characters such as FL, ML, ML's father & ML's mother.

What I disliked:
1. ML's father - One of the grossest character I've seen in vertical dramaland. He was abusive towards FL & her mother - some scenes are distressing.
2. ML's brother arc - I wish his arc isn't preditable.

Favourite scene
When FL seduced ML

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Partnership within flash marriage that turns to love as time passes by

I chose to watch this drama because I wanted to explore Bai Yan's work. I wasn't disappointed.

What I liked:
1. Romance - It's wonderful to watch a relationship that is built on partnership then grows into love. FL & ML had very good communication. Romance is mostly sweet but there is one spicy scene & some real kisses.
2. ML characterisation - Even though their relationship started as married strangers, ML took his role as husband and stepdad very seriously.
3. Supporting characters - I like Grandma Lin who took on nanny role to secretly bond with FL and her daughter. I also like FL's daughter who is integral to this story because in other vertical dramas, most of the kids' role are products of one night stands.
4. Acting - I enjoy watching Bai Yan playing a sweet character without heavy heartache. Wang Jia Mao was also good in his role. The actor who played Su Bei Chen did well do especially that last scene with his mother.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Su Bei Chen, his mother, FL's male coworker & Zhang Xioli are despicable. Su Bei Chen especially!
2. Kidnapping - This is a common trope in vertical drama but gosh this drama upped its ante with the kidnapping scene.

Favourite scene
When ML confessed his feelings for FL at hospital

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Reborn revenge tale in historical setting - enjoyable!

I prefer modern stories to historical but once in awhile, I will watch historical drama. This is my first historical drama shot vertically and I was greatly entertained.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Wonderful performances by Yao Yuchen, Liu Qing and Mao Shung Er. They nailed the dramatic & comedic moments.
2. Romance - The sexual tension was killing me. Real kisses and affectionate/playful moments. Would love to see more kisses once they confirm their relationship.
3. FL characterisation - I enjoy her scheming post-reborn. She was smart but played coy.

What I disliked:
1. Poison arc - I wish more time was spent on this because I find the explanation at the end was too rush.

Favourite scene
When ML saved FL after FL's first confrontation with concubine Zhen

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Light & funny romantic comedy with great acting

The reason I watched this drama is Zhang Jinyi. She was impressive in a drama with Lu Huanyu, in which she played a tech expert married to "uncle" CEO. I decided to check out her other dramas hence this review.

What I liked:
1. Su Shi Mo characterisation - I love FL's quirkiness and self-confidence. She never felt down nor embarassed when other people looked down on her unconvetional capabilities.
2. Acting - I must say that Zhang Jinyi excels in comedies. She was entertaining to watch. I also enjoyed the main actor's performance - too bad I couldn't find his name her and in Youtube comments. I have watched many vertical dramas with wheelchair bound ML. This actor managed to give depth to his character unlike other dramas in which MLs are usually brooding & 2 dimensional. The actor is handsome & has big lips.
3. Supporting characters - FL's master was hilarious so was the master's relative who was at the auction.
4. Romance - Sweet, heartfelt romance. Their quarrel about treatment & divorce threat was emotional, I could sense the conflict within both characters.
5. Styling - I like styling for both FL & ML especially when they both wore similar colours.

What I disliked:
1. Snobbery - I dislike people who look down on folks who live or grow up in rural areas.

Favourite scene
The auction

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Sweet noona romance with fun ending

I watched this drama weeks ago & if I don't write MDL review immediately, I might forget about the drama. This is the case with this drama. A few days ago, I thought I had not seen it so I clicked play but the early scenes were familiar.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - He's caring & romantic. In many vertical dramas, ML fell for FL when they were children or at least when he was a teen. In this drama, he was a younger colleague of FL who got to know her before her marriage. I find this background more realistic.
2. Ending - Fun ending and I love how supporting characters were written into the ending.
3. Villain arc - I like how SFL Stella was written. She was obsessed & possessive and how her true nature was revealed was a good scene.
4. Supporting characters - I like FL's employees & ML's right hand man.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - ML was more invested in their relationship than FL. I also don't sense much romantic chemistry between Meng Lu and Chen Yun Ting.

Favourite scene
The ending

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Visually stunning couple but not enough kisses

I am a fan of Zhang Chu Xuan and this is my second drama that featured Zhan Zhuo.

What I liked:
1. Visuals - Wow, Zhang Chu Xuan & Zhan Zhuo made a visually stunning couple. Their styling was on point too.
2. Romance - Their first kiss was intense, messy and hot.
3. Plot - Overall they had challenges such as age difference, office romance & ML's hidden agenda. It was enjoyable watching them go through these challenges. That taxi scene almost at the end was heartwarming.
4. FL characterisation - Zhang Chu Xuan chooses her roles carefully and she's always a delight to watch. I love that her character is successful & strong but had moments of vulnerability.

What I disliked:
1. Kisses - I don't understand why kisses after the one night stand were blocked by FL. It was frustrating and I felt as though the director made ML boyish / immature with these shots.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML first kissed

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Simple love story with good chemistry and funny assistant

I like Du Ya Fei in a drama about FL selling her body to ML to get money. I was excited to watch this series.

What I liked:
1. Romance - It's simple, cute and sweet. I like seeing Ling Mo Zhou's dedication and protective behaviour for his wife. The kisses are hot and satisfying.
2. Assistants - I like the assistants to both ML & FL. It's funny that FL misunderstood ML's assistant frequent encounters with ML. FL's assistant is quite handsome.
3. Setting - Both FL & ML signed up to be in a reality tv show about their life as a couple and I like how this setting became a catalyst to their romantic relationship.
4. FL's mother in law - It's quite common for FL to meet ML's relative without actually realising their identity. I like how their first meeting in this drama.

What I disliked:
1. Villain - Typical villain in micro drama - jealous half-sister and her mum.

Favourite scene
When FL misunderstood ML assistant's frequent encounters with ML

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Enjoyable fish out of water story

I am a big fan of Wen Mo Yan. I was apprehensive about her ventures in vertical drama but this one was a good project for her, I think.

What I liked:
1. Stolen identity trope - In many stolen identity vertical drama I watched, FL's identity was stolen by ML's childhood sweetheart/betrothed (already established relationship) . However in this drama, FL's identity was stolen by her housemate/friend from same village.
2. Working hard vs easy life - I also like the conversation about marrying rich guy for easy life vs working hard to earn a living. It clearly explains antagonist's characteristics & motivation. I also like that FL's hardwork not only benefit her but also her village.
3. Romance - There aren't many kisses but I could see love & affection from the main characters through their gestures. It's also good to see that their romance wasn't smooth sailing. There was good balance of push & pull throughout their relationship. SML was interesting love rival.
4. Acting - Great acting by Wen Mo Yan, Wang Dao Tie, SFL & SML.
5. FL characterisation - I like that she's street smart, hardworking, kind & thoughtful. I like FL's stance on their blossoming romantic relationship.

What I disliked:
1. ML & SFL relationship - I don't understand why ML offered cohabitation to the woman who claimed to have one night stand with him. He didn't make any effort to get to know her.
2. FL's promotion - Her promotion from one role to the other was done too soon. In reality people might assume she had affair with top management.

Favourite scene
When FL reminded ML of his situation with his girlfriend

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I like this drama for its visuals and acting intensity

I wasn't familiar with main actor nor the main actress. I didn't even know the synopsis but I was drawn to complete watching this series after a few minutes.

What I liked:
1) Visual - Female lead has wonderful collection of qi pao. Yue Yu Ting was beautiful and elegant in qi pao. Yue Yu Ting, Chen Zheng Yang and ML's assistant are good looking.
2) Acting - I enjoy watching the dynamics between FL & ML. They managed to put good amount of sexual tension at the start that I was drawn to them.
3) Plot - This drama is different from other vertical shot. I like that ML's nephew was aware of FL's circumstance and was willing to help her out.
4) Romance - Fabulous kisses and they were hot for each other. As mentioned by other user, you can feel ML's love for FL.
5) Supporting characters - I like ML's nephew, their daughter, FL's sister, ML's assistant.

What I disliked:
1) The reveal - I didn't like the way FL inform ML that they had a child together. She should have come clean immediately when confronted.

Favourite scene
When ML learned about his daughter's existence and then confronted FL about it.

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Light & good chemistry between leads

I am a fan of Zhang Chu Xuan so decided to watch this drama. This is my first drama of Sun Yue.

What I liked:
1) Romance - Wow, I really like this pairing between Zhang Chu Xuan and Sun Yue. They had great chemistry & dynamic, which translated well to their characters' growing romance. Their romantic scenes were brief but the biting was unexpected & sexy. Wish there were more affectionate scenes.
2) FL's characterisation - I like that FL Xia Xi Wan is knowledgeable in acupuncture & uses that skill to heal others and defend herself. I also like that she's self-reliant.
3) Ending - That last quote is touching & sweet.
4) Sun Yue - I really enjoyed his acting. He excelled in comedic parts, which made me want to watch his other works.
5) FL's family - I love their warmth!

What I disliked:
1) Illness - At first I thought there would be horror / supernatural element because of Lu Han Ting's illness. Unfortunately that arc wasn't expanded. I'd love to know the cause & see more of his struggles with the illness.
2) Running time - This drama is 1 hour 35 minutes long, which I find short. Certain arcs could be expanded.

Favourite scene
When Lu Han Ting's illness broke out

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Sweet & mature slow-burn romance

I saw this drama on my Youtube dashboard & quickly browsed comments section. Most users gave positive comments so I clicked play.

What I liked:
1) Mature - I am a fan of marriage of convenience & cohabitation tropes and this drama handles both tropes well. Despite them being strangers, they negotiated & navigated their relationship via mutual respect & mostly clear & frequent communications. It's also great that this drama isn't too melodramatic like other vertical shot drama because excessive yelling & violence could ruin my enjoyment.
2) FL characterisation - I like that she's confident, level-headed woman. She faced challenge head-on and I like how she never gave up believing in ML's love for her.
3) Grief - I like how grief is portrayed & dealt with in this drama.
4) Acting - I like Zhu Mo Yen's acting in this drama. Subtle but with impact. Great chemistry between Yu Shang Xu and Zhu Mo Yan. They matched each other's temperament & even visuals.

What I disliked:
1) Romance - I wish there were more affectionate scenes between ML & FL.
2) ML's female friends - I understand that they are protective of ML & were apprehensive with FL. However they should be mindful & tactful when interacting with sensitive issues related to ML & FL.

Favourite scene
When FL's mother died

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Light & cute family drama with corporate espionage thrown in

I love the pairing of Wen Mo Yan and Shen Hao Nan in Your Trap. Thus that led me to this series. I'm delighted that Shen Hao Nan used the same hairstyle as the one in Your Trap. With this hairstyle, he resembled Mark Tuan of kpop group GOT7.

What I liked:
1) Romance - This series displayed better falling in love scenes than Your Trap. I like the montage clip of younger Mun Yunge and Si Qingye because they had fun and looked like a real couple in love. That morning after conversation was funny. The kisses were hot but in one scene I am not sure whether it's right to proceed.
2) Kids - They are adorable but hhhmm quite mature and observant for six year olds. I have seen the child actor who played Xingxing in a vertical drama about a triplets. His character was similar too - he was an intelligent boy who is leader amongst his siblings.
3) Styling - I really like the outfits for Qingye and the kids because they wear bright colours. Yunge's clothes were pretty too but I don't like the shoe choices. Maryjane with socks on a mum is not my style. Yunge also wore a pair of heels that were strapped to her ankle for her business meeting at a club. She should have worn slip on heels so that shoes fell on the floor during the makeout scene (more dramatic effect).
4) Zhao Dong Hao - He was memorable despite the lack of screentime. He had six-pack abs but damn that scene was too short.

What I disliked:
1) Ning Wu Hui's arc - Instead of cramming Ning Wu Hui's part in 1 episode, the series should expand this arc into 3 episodes. First episode could be about Ning Wu Hui meeting & seducing Si Qing Ye, second episode could be her mission and third episode could be about her accident that led to memory loss.
2) Mu family arc - I feel like Yunge's identity as a member of Mu family wasn't explained clearly. Why did she do to earn her grandpa's assets? What did she do for a living after giving birth? Why did she work at Qingye's company instead of her own family company? The cousin rivalry felt empty because the cousin character was two dimensional.
3) Dubbed voice - Why were the voices dubbed? I love Wen Mo Yan's voice but her dubbed voice had this "cute" sound to it.
4) Villains - I feel like they were too many villains that ultimately were underdeveloped. Had Lu Xiao had more depth to his character.

Favourite scene
The kids birthday party. I didn't expect raw performances by both leads.

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