emberzmars

Kickass FL against a well-crafted villain - I love it!

I was drawn to this mini drama after watching a few minutes of a random video clip on Youtube. Overall, I love the series!

What I liked:
1. Ling Ruo Jin characterisation - One of the best Female Lead in a Chinese drama! I love that she is intelligent, capable and not obssessed about falling in love or having men to fall in love with her. Even when there were men fawning over her, she never took advantage of them. Brilliantly played by Amy Sun.
2. Lin Yue Xi characterisation - It's rare to have a female villain and even rarer to get a well-crafted female villain. She is bloody annoying but damn cunning! She knows her allure and power and uses both beauty and brain to get what she wants.
3. The writing - Being a minidrama doesn't stop the writer from producing well-written screenplay. I love that supporting characters such as Lin, Yue Xi, Xiao Nanyang and the Empress were given backstory to give substance to their characters. I love the poems that were mentioned in the series too.
4. Xiao Ye Han characterisation - I didn't really like this Male Lead at first because he never gave Ruo Jin the benefit of a doubt. However I love the way his character grow. He realised he had wronged Ruo Jin and apologised to her. Despite his love not being reciprocated by Ruo Jin, his actions were sincere.
5. The ending - I really enjoyed the ending because it made sense. Wang Ting Xu looked handsome and cheeky in that hairstyle and glasses.

What I disliked:
1. The romance - I feel like there aren't enough romance scenes between Ruo Jin and Ye Han. Would love to see more skinship.
2. Similar story - Having watched The Only Girl You Haven't Seen a week before, I find some scenes in 'The Resilient Dr Ling' similar to scenes in that series. For example, both Female Lead works with herbs & poisons and both series feature virus outbreaks, which led to main couples growing closer.

Favourite scene:
When Ruo Jin recited so many poems that she won big. I was surprised with what she did with her prize money.

Read More

Fun & well-executed mini drama that looks at purpose of existence

I am in the mood for mini dramas ever since I subscribed to WeTV almost a week ago. Once I found this mini drama in the catalogue, I read reviews on MDL and watched the series yesterday.

What I liked:
1) Themes - The third act becamse very interesting because the series tackled various themes : (i) purpose of one's existence , (ii) destiny, (iii) freewill. Even Mu Nanchen, a supporting character that hadn't had much depth, started to want something more.
2) Influenced by other series - I noticed the similarity between Night of Love with You and W: Two Worlds Apart because of the comic book styling. I really liked it because the execution and character development here are better explained than in W.
3) Leng Ye Han characterisation - Well done to writer for giving him a complex arc despite short time length of the drama.
4) Luo Qing characterisation - This female lead was quick thinking and aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She didn't wait for someone to save her one she identified the glitch in the storytelling.
5) Romance - While this series is geared more towards thriller/mystery, there were enough romantic scenes for viewers to enjoy. The "kissing to save her life" caveat was humourous and certainly poking fun at other romance dramas with non-sensical caveats.
6) Supporting characters - Luo Cheng, Mu Nan Chen, Kevin and even Song Ruo Yon served their purpose in this series.

What I disliked:
1) Mu Nanchen characterisation - I quite liked his character once he became more active/presence. Wish he was given more depth.
2) Luo Qing's backstory - I am not sure why Mrs Mu resisted Luo Qing so much. Wasn't Mrs Mu involved in Luo Qing's growing up or did I confuse this with Ruo Yon's background? If Mrs Mu thought Luo Qing was a gold digger, she could have asked her to sign pre-nup and avoid the whole messy drama.

Favourite scene:
When Ye Han realised that Luo Qing was in danger but then realised he got pulled into different arc.

Read More

Quirky drama about overprotective dad

I noticed this series as I perused Netflix catalogue for shows leaving soon. The synopsis was intriguing so I binged this series in 2 days to meet Netflix deadline.

What I liked:
1) Friendship - I like watching the dynamics between 6 core individuals. Gataro Obika was a controlling father to Sakura but a great friend to the other 5 university students that he and Sakura befriended.
2) Father-daugher dynamic - It's great to see healthy interactions between a father and a daughter.
3) Comedy - There are many comedy scenes in this series, mostly provided by Taro and Negoro.
4) Plot - I like how the story progresses from one episode to the next. I was never bored.

What I disliked:
1) Parenting style - I find Taro meddled too much into Sakura's life. It's weird to enrol in the same university course as your daughter. It's even weirder to be too involved in Sakura's social life. She could not even go on a date without Taro's presence, it's stiffling.
2) Ending - I like where the series was headed in the penultimate episode but I find ultimate episode less satisfying. I'd love to see Taro publishing new novel and letting go of his control of Sakura as well as more developed arcs for Hiroko, Misaki Eto.

Favourite scene
When Taro and Hatakeyama Masaharu saved Sakura & Hiroko from bad guys.

Read More

Interesting synopsis but disappointed by story execution

After watching The Killer is also Romantic, Destined to Meet You, Blade's Dance with You, Butterflied Lover, Yang Ze is one of my favourite mini drama actors. He can portray different expressions even with his baby face. I have watched Tu Zhi Ying's acting in Playing House, which I really enjoyed. I was excited to watch this mini drama after knowing the main cast and reading the synopsis. However I didn't enjoy this series.

What I liked:
1. Bromance - I enjoyed watching Qin Chuan and his aide, Zhao Tie especially when they were concocting plans to woo Mu Xiao Xi.
2. Xiao Xi's parents - They didn't have much screen time but whenever they were on screen, they were hilarious.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I don't sense any chemistry between Yang Ze and Tu Zhi Ying at all. Their characters Qin Chuan and Mu Xiao Xi were essentially strangers because there were no scenes of them bonding or working together on achieving something. I am bothered by the kissing scenes because most of the time they were in forced situations.
2. Shots - I don't like how inner monologues of Tu Zhi Ying and Shangguan Ru Yu were shot. Breaking the fourth wall style were employed and I find this style created a barrier with Qin Chuan.
3. Side storylines - I would like to know more about Qin Chuan's rivalry/relationship with other princes but it wasn't explored much. I couldn't care much about Shangguan Ru Yu's arc.
4. Ending - A cliffhanger. Since I don't enjoy this series, I am not interested in the outcome of the main leads.

Favourite scene
When Xiao Xi's parents gave marital advice to Qin Chuan and Xiao Xi.

Read More

Refreshing drama with heroic army general FL & anti-hero, house husband ML

I subscribed to WeTV last weekend and was browsing their catalogue when I found this mini drama. I was intrigued by the synopsis and binged the series in one evening.

What I liked:
1) Gender reversal roles - I love that the FL is an army general who has a tough exterior but a soft spot for her husband whom she married out of obligation, not out of love. I also love that the ML is a scheming head of assassin organisation whom adopted a coquettish persona to deceive his wife. It's refreshing to see atypical characters on screen.
2) Romance - When they are intimate, FL is dominant while the ML is submissive and it's hot. The kisses are hot even when ML was begging for FL to stay by his side after his cover was blown.
3) Gu Ming Zhu / Jiang Jun - Gu Ming Zhu is sickly scholar while Jiang Jun is a headstrong head of organisation. Xu Zhen Xuan was able to showcase two different characters well. The contrasting costumes help in showing two different characters.
4) Supporting characters - Lord Yue/Xiao Ban, Qi Qi and Li Qi were a delight to watch. The three of them were quite good looking as well. Zi Yu who played Lord Yue kinda reminds me of Felix from kpop group Stray Kids while Wu Tian Hao kinda resembles Gao Hanyu.

What I disliked:
1) Multiple arcs - There were too many in the mini drama and most of them were underdeveloped e.g. Second Prince's hunger for power, Lord Yue backstory, Jiang Jun's sickness, Crown Prince. At one point, I forgot about the deal Jiang Jun made with Second Prince because there were no scenes/interactions between 2 characters. If this series was turned into a longer series, perhaps they could elaborate on those arcs.

Favourite scene:
When General Wei Lin jumped on Jiang Jun after waking up from sickness. Their makeout session was interrupted by their right-hand men reading a novel out loud.

Read More

Refreshing modern mini drama, good acting & chemistry but bad ending

I love Lu Yan Qi's performance in Destined to Meet You so was excited to see her in the trailer of this series. I am also familiar with Yan Zi Xian's work having seen his performance in The Revenge of Begonia and Estranged Fall in Love. I think Yan Zi Xian looks like Jackson Wang with certain styling.

What I liked:
1) Acting - Lu Yan Qi and Yan Zi Xian were really good in their roles, individually and a couple. Lu Yan Qi had great comedic timing in a few scenes. When Xia Tian cried, I felt her pain for example when she came clean to the grandpa. Both of them seemed to have an ease/comfort with each other because their on-screen banters looked so natural. It's nice to see Yan Zi Xian smile and laugh.
2) Romance - Most importantly there was amazing chemistry between Lu Yan Qi and Yan Zi Xian and a good balance of push and pull. I could feel sexual tension between Ji Cheng Xuan and Xia Tian especially in the bathtub scene. There was plenty of kissing, hugging and hand-holding.
3) Writing - I love that the writer debunked cliche tropes e.g. kissing without permission. I enjoyed most of the arcs.

What I disliked:
1) The ending - WHY end the series with that scene???
2) Qin Yue - It's nice to see Ni Han Jin acting together with Lu Yan Qi again. However his character was underdeveloped.

Favourite scene:
When Cheng Xuan set up a romantic scene & confessed his love to Xia Tian. The banter between them aaawww

Read More

Light and sweet romance mini drama that excels in comedy

Richard Li is mentioned a lot in reddit posts so I chose this mini drama to see his work.

What I liked:
1) Comedy - I never expected to laugh and chuckle while watching a mini drama. Comic relief provided mostly by Liu Yue Qing's father & Pei Yan and they did great job.
2) Richard Li - At first I thought he was a pretty boy but as the series progressed, I enjoyed his acting. He was able to convey different emotions and my favourite is when he was concerned for Liu Yue - there was sincerity there.
3) Romance - I enjoyed their romantic scene from the drugged tea to the ink grind. The scenes were sweet.
4) Supporting characters - Great use of supporting characters e.g. Han Zhen, Mr Liu, Pei Yan.

What I disliked:
1) Writing - I feel like the writer could do more with the main characters. While I enjoyed the romance between Pei Xun and Liu Yue Qing, their individual characters were not fully fleshed out. Her purpose for transmigration is not explained in this series. So I didn't feel any connection to them and would be less inclined to re-watch this series or worse, remember this series. The villain arc was predictable but it could have done better too. I also didn't realise FL was a modern woman until I read the synopsis.
2) Ending - The ending was lacklustre after a climatic penultimate episode. The last episode was only 7 minutes including intro & end credits. Writer could have added a scene about FL's purpose for transmigration or implications of her decision.

Favourite scene:
When Han Zhen brought Pei Xun's betrothal gifts to the Liu family

Read More

Horror is not just about ghosts but humans can be horrifying too when they do atrocious things

Typically horror series focus on ghosts, demons or other supernatural being. Humans can be horrifying too when they do atrocious things.

What I liked:

1) Acting - Standout performances by Im Siwan, Lee Dong Wook and Lee Jung Eun. LDW is the reason I watched this series. Damn he was horrifying = he was great in this role. This is my first time watching Im Siwan's drama and I quite enjoyed his performance.
2) Pacing - I like the 10 episode format. Series would be draggy if it was stretched to 16 episodes and I don't think viewers could cope with any more torturous scenes.
3) Mindf**** - It's not just physical harm, but as a viewer I also could feel the pyschological pain & twists faced by Jong Woo. I felt really bad for him when he was at wits end and could not get out of the hostel situation.
4) Torture - This drama is not for the faint-hearted. Some scenes show physical harm, which can lead to stress/discomfort.
5) Music - The Rose is one of my favourite Korean groups. I was pleasantly surprised to hear their song in this series. Woosung's voice is hauntingly beautiful for this song. The Vane's song is also good. Good that the soundtrack is geared towards rock!

What I disliked:
1) Supporting characters - They were predictably dispensable. Wish the residents were given more screen time so viewers could relate and feel something when they died.

Favourite scene:
When Jong Woo and Moon Jo had the conversation on the rooftop. No violence but the dialogue gave me chills.

Read More

i

I am a fan of Zhang Yuxi after watching her performance in Guess Who I Am. I was also curious about Liu Xue Yi, who is currently starring in Kill Me, Love Me so I decided to watch this series. After completing this series, I noticed that all leading female characters (Xu Qing You, Fang Qi, Lin Si Yu) had experienced broken stilettos when they were with their love interests!

What I liked:
1) Romance - I really like the dynamic between Qing You and Mo Ling Ze from the start. The sexual tension was killing me especially when Fan Yun Xi was in the picture. Once Qing You & Ling Ze got together, I had butterflies whenever they kissed, held hands and were lovey dovey. They looked visually stunning together.
2) Liu Xue Yi - Oh wow, he fit this role. He gave enough intrigue and charm to his role. Damn he was really good looking playing an investor.
3) Friendship - I like the different friendships shown in this series: i) Qing You-Fang Qi, ii) Ling Ze, Li Sa, and their bandmates A Luo & Bobo.

What I disliked:
1) Tang Xi - I understand why ex partners were featured in romance story but I think this ex went too far. I disliked her for thinking that she owned Ling Ze because she thought she played a role in his successful career. Please, you might have helped at the start but success doesn't happen overnight. Ling Ze is a successful investor because he works damn hard. I also disliked exes who selfishly left their partner and returned to claim their spot without acknowledging their mistake.
2) Mr Xu - Gosh I dislike him at the start when he favoured his former student/Qing You's then boyfriend over his own daughter. He should respect Qing You's decision and give her time to open up.
3) Secondary romance - I found the romance between Fang Qi and Xu Wei hardly convincing. i) Fang Qi was less invested in the emotional aspects of their romantic relationship. I hate it that she was implying the relationship wasn't serious when confronted by Xu Wei's parents. ii) Xu Wei is lacking life experience to be with a woman 8 years older than him.
4) Pacing - Towards the last quarter of the series, I felt bored but I kept going because I wanted to mark this series as 'Complete' as opposed to 'Dropped'.

Favourite scene
The auction engineered by Lin Si Yu but didn't work out her way. The sexual tension between Ling Ze and Qing You - wow!

Read More

The twists - what an unpredictable plot!

I chose to watch this series last week because it was going to leave Netflix on 14 October. Wow, what a ride! I don't know where the writer was taking me.

What I liked:
1) Acting - Top notch acting by Nanako Matsushima, Hiroki Hasegawa, Shioli Kutsuna, Taishi Nakagawa & Shuto Ayabe. I could see the emotions that they conveyed in their characters (Akari Mita, Keiichi, Yui, Kakeru & Kaito).
2) Plot - It kept me on my toes with that amount of twists and turns. Traumatic and painful family drama that were slowly unravelled. I think Keiichi, Yui and Kaito arcs were done well. I also like that the series explored different reactions to suicide.
3) Tone - I like the mystery and suspense tone of this drama. It felt very Hitchcock-ian.
4) Visuals - I don't mean to be shallow but wow what a good looking cast. In particular, Hiroki Hasegawa, Shioli Kutsuna, Taishi Nakagawa & Shuto Ayabe. I couldn't believe Taishi and Shuto were same age - Taishi looked mature for his age.

What I disliked:
1) Nosy neighbour - She was mean and liked to play victim. I hate her for not realising the impact of her words on children.
2) Yui's brat attitude - I disliked her when she abandoned her younger siblings because in the earlier episodes, she emphasised her role as the eldest sibling.
3) Mita's dangerous actions - I disliked the fact that there were hardly any implications of Mita's dangerous actions. She was only apprehended once by the police because of neighbour's complaint (which was rightly so).
4) Keiichi & mistress - OMG I felt like strangling him for priotising his mistress over his kids. He was dumped and yet he was desperate for her love & affirmation.

Favourite scene
Kaito's assignment about his mother especially when he read out loud his assignment in class.

Read More

Beautiful location with OK story & handsome ML

I watched the trailer of this series on Youku while looking for 'What's next to watch'.

What I liked:
1) Location - I love that this series was shot at a tea plantation. It's refreshing and beautiful. I drink tea but watching this series made appreciate tea even more.
2) Eric Hsiao - His MDL profile photo doesn't do him justice. Wow, he's handsome, very tall and fit. He's also charming. His clothes were beautiful though I don't think some of them were appropriate for work at tea plantation.
3) Health & fitness - I love shots of him working out because then I understood his past/other life as a bodyguard/agent-for-hire.
4) Xi Yan characterisation - It's great to see a female lead who is capable at work. She gave advice on marketing, provided possible solutions to problem affecting the community.
5) Action scenes - I enjoyed them even though some were unbelieavable.
6) Romance - I like that the ML asked FL to share her problems with him so they could work on them together. Overall their romance was believable and most of the time cute. One particular kissing scene was damn hot.

What I disliked:
1) Danger to Xi Yan - Zi Hao seemed like a nice guy at the start but he wasn't. I was surprised that he harmed people but Xi Yan did not feel threatened. Well I expected stronger reaction from her.
2) Xiu Fen's stepmom - I don't understand why she had a change of heart.
3) The third act - I feel like this series lost its momentum towards the end.

Favourite scene
When Xi Yan tried to rescue the little lamb

Read More

Funny & warm coming of age BL drama

I don't watch BL series but was drawn to this Japanese drama because of Ren Meguro and this drama would be leaving Netflix on 14 October. This series is light-hearted and fun!

What I liked:
1) Story - It's a simple, cute story about a boy having a crush on his classmate. It started off as a honest mistake but soon he developed feelings for the classmate, who happens to be a boy. It's great to see how 2 characters deal with their feelings for one another - one character more expressive and self-aware while the other one restrained.
2) Acting - Shunsuke Michieda was delightful to watch. He looked like a young Lee Min Ho during Boys over Flowers era but softer. Ren Meguro complements Shunsuke - his character was more intense and Ren was great at expressing longing & stolen glances.
3) Supporting characters - Ms Hashimoto & Aida-san added a lot of depth to the story. Fascinating to watch Aoki-Hashimoto dynamics and Aoki-Aida dynamics because of the difference. I love that Hashimoto has a lot of sass especially around Aida.
4) Ending - was very sweet as it plays homage to the mistake that took place in episode 1.

What I disliked:
1) Hard to find anything that I disliked but there was a scene which Aoki experienced prejudice. Though it was great to see challenges facecd by LGBTQ+ character, I think it was resolved too quickly.
2) I would also like to know reactions from both mothers of Aoki & Ida. They were cameos from them so why not reaction about son's relationship.

Favourite scene:
When Hashimoto became feisty around Aida. So funny!

Read More

Re-do to ensure justice is served!

I watched this k-drama in anticipation for Lee Joon Gi's fanmeeting in Kuala Lumpur on 22 September, which I bought a ticket.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Brilliant performance by Lee Joon Gi and Lee Kyung Young. It's great to see some character growth in Kim Hee Woo - Lee Joon Gi could show some range when Hee Woo was ungrateful teen-aged brat who then grew to be tactical fighter against injustice. LJG performance nicely complements Lee Kyung Young's cunning, corrupted politician character. Solid performance from Kim Chul Ki, Kim Jae Kyung & Ji Chan too.
2. Side characters - I like that supporting characters lasted more than 1 or 2 episodes - they all played an integral role in the fight against corruption. There were many supporting characters I like e.g. Park Sang Man, Kim Han Mi, Prosecutor Jeon Seok Gyu, Ji Seong ho and the old real estate guy who became Hee Woo's mentor.
3. Plot - I like the plot twists. Kim Seok Hoon is such unpredictable character and that reveal in episode 15 I did not see it coming!
4. Action scenes - Good choregraphed fight scenes and LJG really looked fit despite the lean/slender build.

What I disliked:
1. The afterlife/re-do connection - I understand why Hee Woo was given a re-do but I don't understand the process from Director Han to Hee Woo in episode 1 or 2 helipad scene.
2. The romance - Wow, Hee Woo has 3 romantic interest. I understand why romance arc is not explored much in this series but it'd be great if there were meaningful scenes that hinted at possible romance e.g. she told Hee Woo to share the burden because it's exhausting to fight injustice on his own.

Favourite scene:
Kim Hee Won's fight scenes with Doctor K

Read More

Predictable yet enjoyable. Wish there was something more to the story!

I was intrigued by the air of mystery when I watched the series' trailer. So I watched it on Friday night and finished it the next day.

What I liked:
1) Pacing - Fast-paced. I had to stop myself from sleeping late because I had appointment the next day at 10 am.
2) Yan Zhen characterisation - I like this female lead. She's smart and level-headed at work.
3) Li Zhuo Yang - He has this handsome but adorable face. I like the moles on his face. He looks like kpop idol, Baekho.
4) Romance - The scenes were sweet and light touch except the sizzling scenes in episode 1. Wish there were more romantic scenes especially once the secret was out.

What I dislike:
1) Arcs - I wish there was something more to Yan Zhen's parent drama, Chu Ze Jia's disappearance and Chu Ze An's whereabouts. These stories were not flesh out - they seemed very light touch.
2) Ending - I wish ending was from Yan Zhen's perspective rather than Ze Jia's perspective.

Favourite scene
When Yan Zhen set a trap to confirm her suspicions of Chu Ze An's identity.

Read More

Engaging melodrama - Jang Hyuk was such a babe!

Marriage of convenience is one of my favourite tropes. I have seen this kdrama in many lists so I decided to watch it. Oh boy, I was in for a ride!

What I liked:
1) Jang Hyuk - wow, Jang Hyuk was a babe! Handsome, quirky hairstyle, hot body (washboard abs), nice teeth and eccentric personality - I was hooked from the first time he appeared on screen. Brilliant actor, great at conveying different emotions of his character.
2) Lee Gun characterisation - The quirkiest male character I've watched in kdramas. His maniacal laughter, his unconventional approach to personal and professional matters.
3) Kim Miyoung characterisation - I usually get annoyed easily with doormat female leads but Jang Nara played Ms Nice Girl very well that I cried a few times. It's great that she grew as a person - I love that she had a successful career on her own and was very firm with her beliefs and principles.
4) Romance - Their romantic scenes at the start of th the relationship were so sweet. There were two intense scenes that I love so much: 1) the auction and 2) the press conference. Both Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra gave their all in these confession scenes. I also enjoyed scenes when Lee Gun desired Miyoung. Haha!
5) Supporting characters - These characters had depth: Manager Tak, Miyoung's mother, Lee Yong and even Jiyeon (Miyoung's friend and Yong's love interest). Manager Tak and Lee Yong's shenanigans were hilarious!
6) Daniel Pitt characterisation - He gave sensible advice even when he was a stranger to Miyoung. He is a great friend. I like that he's not just in this series as a love rival but Daniel has his own story to be undiscovered.

What I disliked:
1) Confidentiality - I hated when doctor shared Lee Gun's medical diagnosis with Kang Sera. She had no right to that information and her actions after that disclosure were unacceptable even though she had good intentions.
2) Lee Gun - Kang Sera interactions - It sucks that Lee Gun cheated on Kang Sera and I understand that he wanted to inform her personally but I think he cared too much for her feelings over his own feelings.
3) Spiked drinks - It was hilarious the first time but I don't understand why the culprits were not apprehended. Anyway I don't like that their drinks were spiked again.
4) Lee Gun's hairstyle - It's refreshing to see male lead with more than 2 hairstyles in a kdrama. I disliked the hairstyles in the last 3 episodes. That severe fringe made him old and less handsome.

Favourite scene
The press conference. I love that Miyoung was the courageous one and took charge!

Read More