emberzmars

Mob boss FL & Delivery guy ML in OTT drama about gangs & family dispute

I finally watched this drama months after its buzz back when it was first released. It was over-the-top but entertaining. I liked it.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I liked that his character progressed. He started off as a doormat but later realised he was duped by girlfriend of 7 years. So he broke the engagement. I also liked his somewhat chill personality.
2. FL characterisation - Even though she was a leader of a gang, she still could and would kick ass. I liked that badassery side of her.
3. Acting - I must say I was impressed by Jiang Feng's acting because it was natural. I also liked acting of ML's mother
4. Supporting characters - The two right hand men of FL were awesome. I also liked FL's mother even though I didn't necessarily agree with her decisions. I actually wanted to see more interactions between her and ML's father.
5. Styling - I liked most of FL's clothes but not the wedding dress.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - Forced & lacklustre. Their interactions were awkward and felt more like gratitude not love.
2. Antagonists - FL's stepmother and half-brother were money-hungry but my gosh the brother was rash & stupid.

Favourite scene
When ML was going to deliver braised chicken order at the start of drama

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Mediocre, lighthearted assassin drama but cameo was great!

I am in the mood for assassin FL dramas and found this drama through MDL tag. This drama was so-so and I was bored most of the time.

What I liked:
1. Romance - There were sweet moments with a dash of spice, which surprised me. ML was attracted to FL when she was assassin / bodyguard from the get go. The last 10 minutes were incredibly sweet.
2. Cameo - Damn Zhen Zi Qi's cameo was a great surprise. He was hot in assassin get up fighting with FL. I found that scene cute because they had worked together in dark comedy before. I also liked that he stated names of 2 characters that he had played before.
3. Duration - Under 90 minutes which was great.
4. Styling - I liked FL's assassin outfits and that last outfit worn by ML.

What I disliked:
1. Family dispute - I was bored when there were scenes involving power struggle and jealousy. Nothing new in terms of storytelling that I left the drama running on my tablet while I used my phone for something else.
2. Communication - It frustrated me that the couple never communicated throughout their marriage. How could you not know the face of your spouse until you received a divorce certificate?

Favourite scene
When ML was taking a bath

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The couple always in misery but the chemistry was good

I am in a marathon of Li Ke Yi dramas because I am preparing a reddit post on her dramas. I actually watched bits of this drama months ago but dropped because I didn't like the first 20 minutes. I decided to pick it up again & complete watching. I didn't enjoy this drama. My least favourite role by ZZQ.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Zhen Zi Qi played 2 characters (twins) & I disliked both of them so that's good acting. Li Ke Yi was also good in playing character with many emotions. Both of them had great chemistry.
2. Flashbacks - I enjoyed the flashbacks especially ML & FL romantic past. There were tender moments and I love ZZQ's soft expressions of love.
3. Supporting characters - I really liked the doctor (actor quite handsome) and FL's son.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - He was an asshole. I hated that ML tortured and threatened FL because he couldn't trust her.
2. Torture - Never ending cycle of torture. Not only ML tortured others, he also tortured himself with his doubts on his love for FL. I couldn't believe the adults wouldn't mind abusing the kid.
3. Antagonists - A family of power- and money-hungry people.
4. Ending - I don't mind bleak ending but this one was left hanging. I'd be surprised if there is part 2.

Favourite scene
Flashback to when ML waited for FL outside of a club. ZZQ looked so damn hot!

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Silly drama with too little romance - what a wasted potential

I was in the mood for Li Ke Yi. I found this drama in iQIYI catalogue so I watched this drama there. It's an ok watch - gosh I wish there was more.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I liked that ML was attracted to FL from the first time he saw her. I also liked that he agreed to almost everything his wife said, including spending exorbitant money on auctioned items.
2. FL characterisation - She was silly but kind. I also liked that she wasn't indimidated by bullies.
3. Supporting characters - I liked ML's grandma, FL's master. FL's sister was ok most of the time - I disliked her at the ceremony for being easily deceived.
4. The special ceremony - FL's master was perceptive - he agreed to come so he could expose the scam and teach them a lesson.
5. Dogs - They were so adorable especially Xiao Bai.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I wanted more romantic moments between them. The other drama with wheelchair-bound ML starring Li Zi Jie and Zhang Jin Yi had more tender moments.
2. Antagonists - FL's family was horrible, as expected. I don't understand why FL's sister felt entitled to marry ML even though ML and his family clearly rejected her. She also got too much screentime.
3. Plot - It was too silly with a lot of fillers. No character growth for both leads.

Favourite moment
When FL's master slapped FL's family

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Lighthearted crossdressing and hidden identity drama with sensible antagonist arc

I was in the mood for Li Ke Yi dramas in preparation for a reddit post on her work in vertical dramas. I chose this drama because this is her debut drama and the running time is short. I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
1. Romance - This drama is quite clever at using crossdressing and loving a person because of who they are, regardless of sex and gender. There was a growing attraction between FL and ML with ML having a tough time accepting his feelings for FL disguised as a man.
2. Main characters - They were likeable enough though I felt that the writer could play around more with ML's character growth.
3. Supporting characters - Zhou Ting Sheng the actor was the highlight of this drama. Perceptive and kind to FL even though she was oblivious about his crush on her. Anyway wasn't FL's friend / housemate played by Liu Xi Yu? Gosh, this must be one of her early roles.
4. Antagonist - I must say Ms Bai had a great arc - she's manipulative but smart.
5. Styling - I don't know who in real world would think Li Ke Yi was a man but her tomboy style was preppy and cute. I also liked her champagne gold evening gown and the wedding dress. Zeng Hui wore great outfits too - they were fitted nicely.
6. Length - This drama is about 1 hour 50 minutes. The pacing was good and overall it was quick and easy watch.

What I disliked:
1. Hidden identity - I wish FL had come clean about her identity to ML earlier, after receiving a bribe from Ms Bai. Let there be a real conflict between FL and ML.

Favourite scene
When Ms Bai convinced ML that she was the girl he had been looking for

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Lighthearted princess and the bodyguard tale with good antagonist arc

I liked Dong Lan Xue a lot so I was delighted to know that Qi Xia Xia and Jin Chao have another collaboration. I literally just finished watching this drama and yes, I liked it but not as much as Dong Lan Xue.

What I liked:
1. Main characters - I liked that FL was sharp observer - she's not a spoilt princess. ML was good at his undercover mission.
2. Romance - Slow and steady. There was nice push & pull moment but it's missing emotional connection.
3. Styling - I liked the Turkish princess and her maid's outfits. Very pretty. Of course FL's outfits were beautiful too.
4. Antagonist arc - I enjoyed it despite it being predictable.
5. Supporting characters - I liked the other guard (ML's work rival) and the emperor.
6. Length - Fast-paced drama under 60 minutes.

What I disliked:
1. Storytelling - Overall it's a fine story but I felt like it's missing intensity. So this story does not standout in a sea of microdramas set in historical China.

Favourite scene
When ML saved FL from antagonist's attack

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Short & sweet body swap drama with good chemistry

I really liked Chen Xiao Yu's acting in a drama with Ma Shuo Qi so I decided to check this drama. I enjoyed it a lot!

What I liked:
1. Main characters - Both are likeable but with contrasting personalities. They complement each other.
2. Romance - I liked the buildup and the actual kiss was hot and passionate. I wish they had talked more about their feelings for each other in the ending.
3. Styling - I don't know if it's real hair or a wig but damn Wu Yi Jia rocked that style. I loved that his character continued to keep the long hair.
4. Duration - Less than an hour so very fast-paced.
5. Superpowers - Reminded me of Korean drama My Demon but this drama was more entertaining.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked FL's assistant & Uncle Lin.

What I disliked:
1. The past - I'd like to know why did ML look like another mortal man? I'd also liked to see his life as a demon.

Favourite scene
When they kissed for real

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I liked this drama because ML was firm with his stance

I literally just finished this drama. I am a fan of jiejie romance and I think I discovered this drama through a Youtube playlist of that trope. I enjoy Yao Yu Chen's acting but Yu Xian was unfamiliar to me before the drama. Overall I liked it despite its flaws.

What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I liked him because he didn't cave in easily to FL when she offended him. I also liked that he's attentive and a good cook. I liked seeing his serious and playful side.
2. Acting - I must say I was impressed by Yu Xian - he played Achou / Ming Jingzhou very well. Yao Yu Chen also played her role well.
3. Romance - A good balance of sweet & spicy. Steamy kisses and not shy about sex with them talking about it and buying condoms, loads of them. I understood FL's hesitation about falling in love after being cheated on by her husband but over time, she opened up her heart & grew to love him. It's wonderful to hear her confession.
4. Styling - I loved the dress FL wore when she first hooked up with ML. Damn, YYC looked sexy & hot! Meanwhile for ML, I prefer Achou's outfits to Ming Jingzhou's styling. The glasses just aged him.

What I disliked:
1. FL's action - I totally understood ML being sulky & offended when FL wanted him to be a companion to a potential client who happened to be gay.
2. Antagonists - Ex hubby was a scumbag & his mistress was nosy. Ex hubby's mother and sister were stupid.

Favourite scene
When ML ghosted FL

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Mermaid tale with underwhelming performance by lead actress

I was drawn to this drama because of the mermaid trope and it's short length. However I was left disappointed after watching this drama.

What I liked:
1. Concept - I liked the idea of turning scales into sapphire. I also liked the tragedy in this drama because it reminded me of Brothers Grimm's The Little Mermaid.
2. Styling - I liked styling for FL, ML and FL's brother.
3. Character growth - I have to say I prefer ML's arc more than FL's arc. He was a scumbag that forgot the sacrifices of his wife. He was remorseful but it was too late.
4. Acting - The actor who played ML was good in his role and overall was the best actor in comparison to Bao Zhi Yue. I also liked the child actor.

What I disliked:
1. Acting - I was underwhelmed by Bao Zhi Yue's acting. She managed to get my sympathy when I discovered her struggles with her marriage. However her acting in the second half of the drama was stiff.
2. FL characterisation - I didn't like that she left her kid just like that without explaining to the son why she's taking that step. I understand that she was hurt but my gosh her son was just an impressionable child. Who is going to advise the son when he comes of age?
3. ML characterisation - I disliked him for being gullible when it came to green tea. He didn't understand nor set boundaries.

Favourite scene
When FL plucked her scale

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Guo Yu Xin playing a scheming seductress and a justice seeker!

I am in the mood for Guo Yi Xin drama this week so today I picked this drama. I usually prefer modern to historical dramas but this one was engaging. It exceeded my expectations.

What I liked:
1. Acting - This is the first time I watched Guo Yu Xin playing a vengeful woman and I loved it! She was able to switch personas according to the people surrounding her. Lei Yi Hao / Hu Yong Tao was great in his role as a two-faced emperor. The actress who played Gu Qing Yan did spectacular job too.
2. FL characterisation - I liked her determination to seek justice. Scheming & resourceful. She only gave bad attitude / behaviour to those who were bad first.
3. Supporting characters - I loved Gu Qing Yan & Eunuch Jinzhong. Such impactful presence. FL's servant Lan 'Er was good character too.
4. Revenge - Carefully planned and laid out. I was never bored.
5. Romance - Damn the seduction scene was spicy. The bath scene ehem ehem. FL knew how to wrap ML around her fingers subtly.
6. Styling - Beautiful outfits and I loved the different types of traditional costumes worn by people of different status.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Oh I disliked the empress and princess for framing Gu Qing Yan. They got punished, thank gawd. ML was antagonist too and wow, I almost pitied him.
2. Nails - This is my first time seeing Guo Yu Xin with fake nails and I hated it.

Favourite scene
The bath

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Good kisses make up for this typical family dispute, jiejie romance drama

I am a fan of jiejie romance so when I saw this drama poster and title, I immediately checked out the opening scene. This drama was alright for a one-time watch and in the sea of jiejie romance, it is not memorable.

What I liked:
1. Wen Yu - This is the first time I watched this drama and he played puppy-like younger lover character very well. I think it helps that he is baby-face. At times he looked like Wang Nan.
2. Romance - There was good kisses in this drama. That role play scene took me by surprise!
3. Surprise visit - I liked that surprise visit to the hotel room.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's family members were annoying. Fighting over a company when they never showed any competency in leadership.
2. Familiarity - This drama uses hidden identity, jealous sibling tropes which I am getting tired of. For a drama that is almost 2.5 hours long, I found it draggy & stale.
3. Spark - I don't sense any sparks between Wen Yu and Qi Yu Jia.

Favourite scene
The ending

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Version 2.0 FL kicks ass & never gives in to scumbag's pleas

I was in the mood for Huang Bo drama so I chose this drama because it also has Xie Hong Xin. Just perfect for a night in and I enjoyed it a lot.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I prefer Lin Shu Yi version 2.0 who is basically another soul transmigrated to future. She is strong physically and emotionally compared to version 1.0.
2. Acting - Great acting by the actress who played FL (still don't know her name), Huang Bo, Xie Hong Xin and actress who played SFL. I still can't believe Xie Hong Xin's character is older than Huang Bo's character.
3. Vengeance - I'd say v 2.0 sought justice for v 1.0. She had good revenge plan which was executed well despite SFL's unpredictability. Being a different person, she never gave in to ML's pleas.
4. Ending - I liked it a lot.
5. Romance - There was a side story about FL' s blossoming romance with SML. The kisses were hot especially during the filming of their movie. Xie Hong Xin certainly know a good onscreen kiss.
6. Supporting characters - I loved Lu Ye Xuan! Grandma made good appearances.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - Huang Bo playing another scumbag. I hated ML for being indifferent about his unborn baby and for not being accountable for torturing FL. No remorse even at the end. ML did realise his mistakes and got his retribution. The final thing he did for FL was a good act.
2. SFL - Attention-seeing, cruel b!tc#. The amount of scheming is on another level. Distasteful for wearing red during mourning period. I was annoyed by her constant need of being a victim. Her mother is another unlikeable character.

Favourite scene
When FL auditioned for a role in a movie

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Delightful historical drama with inner thought trope. Loved the acting!

Someone on a subreddit recommended this title so I watched as I wanted to explore more inner thoughts trope. What a delight! I enjoyed it immensely.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - Damn, she was unintentionally funny! I loved her for working towards a goal and wasn't easily infatuated by a handsome man (her husband).
2. Comedy - OMG I LOL-ed many times.
3. Acting - Shi Xiao Ye was spectacular in this role. She managed to add charm to her character. I also liked Zhan Xuan's acting.
4. Supporting characters - ML's family was likeable and entertaining.
5. Inner monologue trope - I don't know why only ML's family (including the father) could hear her thoughts but this provided opportunity for comedic moments.
6. Styling - I loved the outfits especially the mint green hanfu worn by FL. Zhan Xuan looked great in the army general's outfit.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - I disliked Yun Xi for her betrayal. She was power-hungry.
2. Romance - I would have liked more affectionate scenes between FL and ML.

Favourite scene
The first time second brother heard FL's inner thoughts

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Familiar plot & odd kissing scenes - my least favourite out of 4 versions

I wanted to watch more Aorigele's dramas because I really liked his acting in After the Fake Play Became Real, He Lost His Love Forever. I watched the raw version (no English subs) of this drama because I was already familiar with the story having seen a few stories with "my husband wants me to be impregnated by another man" plot: i) Shi Tong, ii) Zhang Shan, iii) Wei Fan Shu. This is my least favourite version.

What I liked:
1. Main characters - They are like FL & ML in other versions of this plot but less lusty.
2. Aorigele - I liked watching him play a Mr Nice Guy who's devoted to his lady. He has a great body and I like the shot of his back.
3. Acting - Both Cui Shi Yi and Aorigele gave good performance and there was chemistry despite the odd kissing scenes.

What I disliked:
1. Kissing - Ok I know Aorigele does kissing scene so I had some expectation considering other versions of this plot are quite steamy. I was disappointed. Aorigele clearly kissed his hand / thumb. This is my first drama of Cui Shi Yi so I wonder if she opts for "no kissing" policy.
2. Antagonist - FL's husband was stupid to allow other man to touch his wife and then became jealous when she did in fact get pregnant.

Favourite scene
The first time FL & ML were intimate

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Tale of grieving mother, useless husband and his white moonlight

I liked Wang Lu's acting in Dark and White co-starring Si Jia Li. I decided to watch this drama because of the beautiful poster and short running time. It was a tough watch because of the topic but overall I liked it.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Great acting by Han Wei, Wang Lu & Yin Xin. I empathised with FL for losing a child and having a scumbag husband.
2. Styling - FL wore pretty clothes after the death of her daughter. I loved the bob too!
3. FL characterisation - She was a great mum who sought justice for her daughter and herself. She was smart by collecting evidence.
4. Duration - Drama is less than 1.5 hours.
5. Revenge - I liked revenge arc was carried out because those baddies got what they deserved.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - In this drama, ML was the baddie. He was prejudiced against his wife but overly concerned for his "saviour" / white moonlight over his own family. I got it if he overlooked the tag on Xi Xi's wrist but to prioritise white moonlight's plea over an urgent surgical case? He deserved to be fired!
2. White moonlight - What a bitch! I was so gald that she got her comeuppance because she deserved to suffer.
3. ML's mother - Another character that I disliked. Stupidly sided on ML but no respect and grief for the granddaughter.
4. Slander - It's typical to put public shaming scenes in vertical dramas. I wish FL had taken legal action towards her husband for neglicence.

Favourite scene
When FL unveiled it all in front of reporters

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