emberzmars

Soul swapped, Kickass FL, Unpreditable plot - Thoroughly enjoyed!

I was in the mood for He Jian Qi drama tonight and since I wanted something light & funny, I picked this drama. OMG, such a hilarious drama! I enjoyed immensely.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - Kickass, smart, warm, hardworking. No wonder many characters fall for her. Despite being in different body, she never took advantage of ML's wealth. Yu Xiao Wan was cool & effortless in the role.
2. ML characterisation - Started off as brooding CEO but gradually learned compassion & love. I never expected He Jian Qi to be good in this type of role.
3. Romance - I like the development of their love story even though there were lack of physical touch. I'd say their love language is words of affirmation (they communicated really well) & acts of service. Mature & healthy relationship.
4. Writing - Having watched many vertical dramas, I find this drama refreshing. No jealous fiancée, no abuse, no kidnapping. I like that some characters discovered the soul swap as time progressed. Unlike other soul swap dramas, this one has more unpredictable nature, in which it happens during emotional moments therefore leads had no control or exact formula for the swap.
5. Supporting characters - Omg I like FL's sister (she's smart & funny), ML's assistant, ML's blind date, ML's sister.
6. Ending - I have seen a similar ending but this one is slightly different.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Just a small dislike of how the main antagonist was handled at the end.
2. Kissing - I wish there were more kisses!

Favourite scene
When FL's sister tricked FL & ML to confirm her theory

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Well written, solid acting & ML is a feast!

This drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard last week. I recognised the guy in the thumbnail - Cao Tian Kai. I liked his performance as sickly CEO (he was so endearing) & even though I didn't like his drama about blind girl & her fiancé's uncle, he was extremely hot in that drama. The YT comments for this drama were generally positive. So I clicked 'Play' and I must say that this drama is one of the best written vertical dramas I've watched!

What I liked:
1. Romance - I love romance heavy drama and this is one of the few ones in vertical dramaland. When I say romance heavy, I mean PLENTY of kisses, flirting/teasing, hugging. I love watching them being supportive of each other and constantly communicating with each other. Thank you director for including ML's shirtless shots!
2. ML characterisation - Green flag ML. He understood how much FL values her career and never undermined her efforts to succeed on her own.
3. Acting - Cao Tian Kai's best performance thus far. This was my first drama of Zhang Shan. Her performance is alright. The actor who played FL's adopted brother gave great performance. I also like the actress who played FL's adopted mother - she always portrayed evil stepmother in other vertical dramas so it's nice to see her as a kind adopted mum.
4. Supporting characters - One of the reasons I highly rated this drama is the supporting characters. They were well-written e.g FL's adopted brother, ML's close friend, ML's cousin (who also became FL's love rival), FL's adopted parents.
5. Friendship - I enjoy the interactions amongst old friends (ML and his friends) and new friends (FL & ML's cousin).
6. Ending - I like how they wrap up FL's brother character.

What I disliked:
1. Kidnap - A common trope in vertical drama. I wish there wasn't any in this drama.
2. FL's feelings - I didn't sense the sincerity of FL's feelings for ML until the confrontation. Not sure if this is director's instruction or Zhang Shan's approach to the character.
3. Unnecessary arc - There was a guy who wanted FL for lust or revenge. I find this arc not significant and can be omitted since there are more substantial villain arcs.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML's secret relationship was discovered by FL's adopted brother

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Sweet & endearing romance of a stylish blind man

I remember browsing Dramazone videos on Youtube and adding this drama to my watchlist. I was intrigued by story of blind ML & I thought the actor looked like Fan Zhixin. Finally watched the drama last night and I enjoyed it very much.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She is such a kind & endearing character but not a doormat. She did a mistake & immediately apologised and I like that (dislike Mary Sue characters). Zheng Chen Yu was well cast as Su Shi Qi.
2. ML characterisation - It's good to see his character grow throughout the series. Once he realised he misunderstood FL, he apologised to FL & cared for her. I like that his character's blindness is real. Wang Zi Lin gave good performance too.
3. Romance - Slow burn done right with enough push & pull. I like that he felt attraction for FL even when he couldn't see. What a beautiful visual for ML once he regained his sight!
4. Supporting characters - ML's assistant side comments are hilarious! I was genuinely surprised by how FL's stepmom & sister characters were wrapped up. ML's brother character was well developed.
5. Styling - ML had great hairstyle & outfits. FL wore pretty outfits too and I like her casual wear because fit her cool personality.

What I disliked:
1. Blackmail - I actually didn't like that FL's actions after being blackmailed. Glad she found sense.

Favourite scene
When ML regained his sight and saw FL for the first time

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Funny & fluffy romcom

I am a massive fan of Zhen Zi Qi. I have watched him act alongside Jadie Jia so I kinda know what to expect from this drama.

What I liked:
1. Comedy - The comedic bits were led by Jadie Jia. Romcom is definitely her forte.
2. Childhood flashbacks - Omg younger ML & younger FL were so adorable. You'll understand the crush when you watch the flashbacks though I think ML should have a harder crush on FL.
3. Romance - I like that FL took initative at the start of their entanglement. Sweet romance followed suit - I really liked ML caring for FL almost at the end of the drama.
4. Supporting characters - I like the FL's bestie, her younger brother, ML's assistant & FL's mother.

What I disliked:
1. Villains - It sucks that there was an impersonator.

Favourite scene
When ML cared for feverish FL

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Revenge tale with spice & tragic ending

Shen Hao Nan is the reason I watched this drama. I have watched Jadie Jia in other dramas too.

What I liked:
1. Acting - I like the dark tone of this drama. Nice surprise for Jadie Jia fans because most of her dramas that I watched are light & more comedic. Shen Hao Nan was also good in his role.
2. Romance - While there were steamy kisses, overall the romantic relationship was one-sided.
3. SML - According to Youtube comments, the second male lead is Wu Yuancheng. He was captivating in his role as ally to FL.
4. Revenge arc - The punishment for the aunt was satisfying.

What I disliked:
1. The ending - Wah, I didn't expect this drama to end that way. FL was too harsh.

Favourite scene
Flashback to confrontation between FL's mother & ML's mother

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Sweet romance

I decided to watch this series because of Li Sheng Jie. I enjoyed his performance in a drama with Zhao Zaoer.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I like that both FL & ML did the wooing. The flirting & banter between them were sweet & adorable. It's wonderful to see FL wanting to go further in the relationship and making the moves.
2. FL characterisation - I enjoyed watching the growth of FL. She became more confident & comfortable with herself. It's great seeing her being firm with the guy whom she used to have feelings for.
3. ML characterisation - I like how his character was written. He's edgy but a sweetheart. I also like how he confronted SML about the harassment.
4. Supporting characters - I like the besties of both FL & ML. They're fun when four of them hang out.

What I disliked:
1. SML - It's frustrating to see a guy who refused to accept reality. I don't understand why writer chose to wrap up his character that way. The actor was handsome & had good facial expressions.

Favourite scene
When FL making the moves on ML

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FL found strength & I rooted for her!

I was on a Bai Yan binge after loving her performance in her drama with Feng Xiang Kun.

What I liked:
1. Lin Chu Xia characterisation - FL realised that staying in abusive relationship didn't do wonders for her after a misfortune and I love that she was courageous to leave ML and his family behind. FL is driven once she sets a goal. It was great to see her thrive post-divorce.
2. Writing - Thank you screenwriter for giving FL a chance to grow & discover herself. Also it's good to see remorse & grovelling from ML.
3. FL friends - I like how supportive & protective the couple was towards Chu Xia.
4. Acting - Bai Yan was good and Chen Gang was spectacular in scenes where ML was anguished.

What I disliked:
1. ML's children - It's sad that they were brainwashed into disliking their aunt, the FL. I dislike that they were unpunished for their bad actions.
2. ML's mum & sis - They are so fake.
3. FL's sis - She's a bitch for orchestrating a scenario that cause shame to FL & ML. There are other ways to achieve her goal so why choose that scenario???
4. SFL - Another bitch.

Favourite scene:
When Chu Xia was awarded best designer

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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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Sombre tale with captivating ML

I don't remember what made me to check out this drama but I save this drama to my Youtube playlist after few minutes of watching.

What I liked:
1. He Jian Qi - He is handsome but what made me drawn to him is his gripping performance. He was expressive with his character's feelings from indifference to anguish and sincerity. The styling (hair & outfits) for his character suits him so much.
2. Plot - I like how the story progressed and scenes with villain were not draggy.
3. Supporting characters - The actor playing FL's friend & senior gave good performance and was handsome. Has potential to become ML in other dramas. Too bad I don't know his name.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - There wasn't much time dedicated to romantic scenes as ML & FL were more in indifference & anger stages. However the kiss between ML & FL was hot and passionate.
2. Length - This drama is just slightly more than an hour if I am not mistaken. Wish for extended scenes for example the reconciliation.
3. FL characterisation - Underdeveloped and distant. Hard for me to root for her.

Favourite scene:
Whenever ML felt anguish.

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Noona romance with good amount of tension

I am fan of jiejie / noona / older female, younger male romance. Watched this back in December 2024 when I first explored vertically shot dramas.

What I liked:
1. Romance - The sexual tension between FL & ML was very well done. The coupley things they did were sweet.
2. Acting - Sheng Yi Jie's acting impressed me. Ye Hao Ran also did well as younger love interest. His character was youthful & playful but when serious matter arose, he took serious action.
3. Styling - In the first scene, Ye Hao Ran resembled Korean idol Yeonjun from TomorrowXTogether. Other scenes, he looked like Korean idol Felix from Stray Kids. Anyway I love the clothes worn by both ML & FL.

What I disliked:
1. Ending - It's good that they worked through their problem but I felt that the ending ended abruptly. It would be good if there was another scene with both FL & ML happy with their relationship.

Favourite scene
When ML brazenly kissed FL on her cheek at their workplace

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Chen Si shines in this baby mama drama

I watched this series because I was impressed by Han Jia Hui's acting in her drama with Ke Chun about quadruplet kids.

What I liked:
1. Zhuang Jing Chen characterisation - Chen Si excelled in his role as an expecting daddy wooing his baby mama. Jing Chen was genuine, patient, sweet with FL and most importantly he was firm with SFL about their relationship and the boundaries. This is the first vertical drama that I've seen in which ML explicitly & repeatedly told SFL that he was not interested in her at all. I like that he had FL's back right from the start of knowing her relatives' bad attitude.
2. Zheng Ling Xi characterisation - I understand her apprehension about ML's pursuit of her. I like that she's smart, funny & self-reliant. Han Jia Hui was great in her role plus she was so beautiful in this drama.
3. Romance - There was more push in the dynamics between ML & FL so kisses weren't many. However I enjoyed watching ML pursuing FL because he really wanted a serious relationship with her. I was awed & amazed by the one-arm carry - Chen Si was strong. That seduction scene at the start was 🔥.
4. Supporting characters - I love FL's bestie & ML family members.
5. Tone - There were many comedic & light moments courtesy of FL & ML. Chen Si can do comedy! I watch this drama on repeat since I first watched in mid-December 2024.

What I disliked:
1. SFL - She was possessive & disrespectful.
2. Styling - Chen Si's hairstyle was bad which reminded me of Edward Scissorshand's hairstyle.

Favourite scene
FL ate sour plum when hanging out with colleagues & ML followed suit. His reaction...priceless!

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Bland story about strangers in flash marriage

I had watched another vertical drama about paralysed ML and since I hadn't watched work by Zhu Yi Wei and Bai Xin Yi's work, I decided to start with this drama.

What I liked:
1. Chemistry - They are a real life couple and the chemistry was apparent here.
2. Visuals - Good looking cast from main couple to ML assistant, ML brother & SFL.

What I disliked:
1. ML characterisation - The disability arc didn't meet my expectations. In the other drama, the ML's use of fake disability was a test to vet out money-hungry relatives / rivals. He had charm while doing it but not this ML who is quite bland.
2. Romance - This drama didn't meet my expectation of strangers falling in love. I felt there was limit to both FL & ML interactions and I don't see them grow as ally then lovers.
3. FL characterisation - She was meek & crybaby. The other drama that I watched had FL who was protective of her paralysed hubby from start of marriage.

Favourite scene
When ML confronted SFL for overstepping boundary

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Refreshing tale on classism, second chance at life & revenge

I was keen to explore the work of Zhu Yi Wei and Bai Xin Yi and found this drama on Youtube. Finally watched it last night.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I've only seen 2 dramas including Western drama which has FL working as cleaner and it's great that this drama highlights this profession. FL is hardworking, determined & self-assured - all traits that I like. I punched the air when found out about her new business venture - yes, she should use her skills & experiences.
2. Villains - In many vertical dramas, the villains tend to be FL's love rivals. However for this drama the main villain is ML's sister which I find quite refreshing. I also think writer assigned the right supporting characters as secondary villains.
3. FL's sister - She is the catalyst to FL's fight for justice. It's heartwarming to see FL & her sister's love for each other.
4. Classism - Most vertical drama touch on classism at superficial level but not this drama. I like how classism is written & demonstrated in this drama because I saw it from the victims and the bully.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - While the kisses are hot, the romance tale between the two main characters is underdeveloped. I feel like ML not making enough effort to love An for the person she is now - he seemed stuck on his childhood saviour.
2. Hidden identity - I dislike FL for not being truthful when confronted by ML about her sister the first time. She only revealed the truth the second time she was asked by ML.

Favourite scene
SFL serving coffee to FL and later faced the consequences.

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Slow burn romance with good acting

I watched this vertical shot drama because of Wang Hao Zhen after enjoying his performance as a douchebag husband who distrustful of his wife but wanted reconciliation post-divorce. I watched this series 3 weeks ago and had watched many vertical drama since then so I can't remember some things. Regret not writing review immediately because I can't find the drama on Youtube anymore.

What I liked:
1) Acting - This series leans more towards drama and both Wang Hao Zhen and Han Yu Tong excelled in their roles. Wang Hao Zhen was great in expressing his character's feelings on his face.
2) Romance - They started off as strangers who married to help each other but later trust and genuine feelings grew between them. Mature romance that doesn't dwell on prolonged misunderstanding.
3) Jin Ze characterisation - I like that he's a doctor who is comfortable making his own money rather than relying on his family's wealth. I also like his patience and genuineness.
4) Song Wan Xing characterisation - I like that she's a school teacher who is compassionate. She can handle her own problems - not a damsel in distress.
5) Supporting characters - I like the grandma!

What I disliked:
1) Villain - I can't seem to recall the things I disliked about this drama but I assume the villain was annoying.

Favourite scene
When they first kissed

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Impressed by acting & production value

I was intrigued by this series when it appeared on my WeTV dashboard. Once I checked out the drama details & found out that Hong Yao was the main actor, I immediately clicked 'play'. I was curious about his acting when finding out about his marriage.

What I liked:
1) Sisters arc - I enjoyed watching the Shen sisters especially when they were both on screen together. They had different personalities & approaches to their family mystery.
2) Acting - Kudos to the 4 leads. Hong Yao was excellent as alpha male lead who was rational & had a heart. Jiang Peng Yu was amazing in her role despite her young age. Yu Lang was captivating on screen. Lu Si Heng did great in his role.
3) Styling - Love the outfits especially Shen Zi Qiu's wedding dress & the qipao worn by the Shen sisters. Hong Yao & his character's right hand man looked dapper in their outfits & hairstyle. I love Hong Yao's manliness. Lu Si Heng's styling made him look like Korean idol Choi Youngjae from GOT7.
4) Supporting cast - I like ML's right hand man, Tang Zhe, Ms Meng, Shen Zhi Xia's servant.
5) Romance - Good amount of push and pull. High sexual tension. Hot kisses & sweet affectionate scenes.

What I disliked:
1) Deaths - I was shocked by the death of 3 characters. Once the 2 characters died, I lacked some motivation to continue the series.
2) Ending - I don't like it.

Favourite scene
When Shen sisters spent time together before the wedding

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