A Captivating Drama with a Unique Mix of Action and Mystery
MLC isn’t your typical fast-paced drama. Instead, it leans more into storytelling, as each mystery is tied to the larger plot. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but honestly, I loved how much detail went into each case.Cheng Yi as Linhua/Xiangyi starts off pretty playful, but as the story goes on, he really gets to explore the deeper sides of his character, and he does it so well! After all, this is Cheng Yi! He’s not at all about over-the-top theatrics; he is subtle, but when the emotions hit, they really hit. CY might not fit the usual "aesthetic" that’s popular in c-dramas, but his versatility totally makes him stand out from other actors. Oh, and bonus points: he dubbed himself this time!
The dynamic between Cheng Yi's character and Joseph Zeng's character is so humorous and engaging. Their chemistry adds a delightful touch to the drama, and when Xiao Shun Yao's villainous character enters the mix, things become even more intriguing.
The slow start might make some people want to drop it early, but seriously, don’t! It’s so worth it. I gave it a shot, and before I knew it, I was totally hooked. If you want something different from the usual romance-heavy c-dramas, MLC is definitely worth it. It’s smart, witty, funny, and pulls at your heartstrings in all the right places.
Easily one of the best c-dramas of 2023 for me!
Was this review helpful to you?
MUST WATCH FOR XIANXIA FANS!
Luo Yunxi brought so much depth and elegance to his portrayal of Tantai Jin. One of the most impressive things about his performance is how much he conveyed just through his eyes. Whether it was intense anger or deep sorrow, he didn't even need words to make you feel it. His eye acting was especially powerful in scenes where his character was battling his inner demons.But what really makes this drama stand out, in my opinion, is that Yunxi's character is a true anti-hero. He has a dark, even disturbing side, which makes him such a fascinating and complex character. Despite all his flaws, I couldn't help but root for him! Bai Lu’s character is also a breath of fresh air. She’s nothing like the passive or whiny heroines we see so often in c-dramas. She takes charge, makes things happen, and has so much agency.
I also loved the role reversals in this drama. Bai Lu’s character is the one initiating intimate moments and even saving Yunxi’s character when he ends up in distress. It was such a fun and refreshing twist!
If you're looking for a xianxia drama that shakes things up and offers something different, this is a must-watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
A STAND OUT DRAMA IN 2024
Just finished all 40 episodes!This drama was such a breath of fresh air. It puts the female lead front and center, which was a really nice surprise since I expected a drama all about the ML. I went in expecting a typical romance where the ML takes charge all the time, but The Double totally defied my expectations.
The FL’s revenge plot drives the whole story, and she’s far from a helpless damsel in distress. She’s sharp, resourceful, and takes control of her own fate, with the ML stepping in to support her only when necessary. Honestly, I was surprised by how little screen time he gets, just a few minutes per episode (always elegantly waving that red and gold fan of his!)
I really liked the chemistry between the leads (even with all the talk about their age gap). Their relationship develops slowly but is full of heart-fluttering moments that make their growing feelings feel so natural. The ML actually reminds me a lot of Ling Buyi (LLTG) and Xie Wei (Kunning Palace), though he’s more refined and calculated, less impulsive. Wang Ying Yue carries a mature presence despite being so young, and his acting is seriously impressive.
The whole cast is great, but a real standout for me was Liang Yong Qi as Shen Yurong. His performance, especially his eye acting, was incredible! He gave his character so much depth; he balanced the dark and intense moments with just the right amount of restraint. Some of his scenes were actually chilling. I’d love to see him take on a leading role in the future.
As for the story, it’s engaging and suspenseful. There are some plot holes and over-the-top moments, but they didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. The Double is easily one of the best dramas of 2024.
Was this review helpful to you?
IF YOU ARE A XIANXIA FAN, DEFINITELY WATCH THIS!
This drama has all the familiar xianxia tropes but with a fresh twist. It was a fun and less predictable watch. What I love most is the overall light tone, as the drama is packed with humor and steers away from the usual dark, heavy atmosphere that so many xianxia dramas favor.The chemistry between the leads is so good, and they handle both the comedic and dramatic moments really well. I know some people complained about the slightly cartoonish CGI, but honestly, it didn’t bother me much. The engaging story and quirky characters more than make up for any visual shortcomings. (And seriously, some of these characters are just adorable!)
All in all, Back from the Brink is a refreshing take on the genre and a genuinely enjoyable watch!
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Drama of 2025 for me!
Just finished all 36 episodes and I’ve been completely hooked from start to finish! I didn’t know what to expect going in, but this drama really blew me away. It’s one of the best takes on the enemies-to-lovers trope I’ve seen in a long time. No over-the-top toxic nonsense where the ML is constantly hurting / assaulting the FL to prove some twisted point. He’s dealing with serious childhood trauma after witnessing three generations of his clan get massacred by the FL's clan.What I loved is how the romance in this drama focuses on healing. It’s a story about overcoming trauma and building trust and true partnership. The FL is absolutely amazing. She’s smart, but also kind and gentle. Watching her slowly earn the ML's trust and bring peace between their clans was so beautiful.
POB has everything. Dramatic moments, great action and battle scenes, LOL moments (especially from the ML’s hilarious group of generals), and a great cast of side characters, from the wise grandmother to the goofy MIL to the spunky maid.
I have to say, Liu Yuning really impresses here. I’ve been watching him since The Long Ballad and he’s grown so much as an actor. He’s honestly just perfect as Wei Shao: imposing and rough around the edges, but also down to earth, kind, and gentle when needed. As for Song Zuer… I’m blown away! Her eyes, her facial expressions, the way she plays fake helplessness, she completely OWNED this role!
Was this review helpful to you?
SO REFRESHING - ONE OF THE BEST COSTUME & PERIOD C-DRAMAS
This drama is an absolute masterpiece!Everything about it is top-notch: the script, the dialogue, the cinematography, the character dynamics, and the performances. It completely pulled me into the characters' world!
What really makes this drama stand out though, is its fresh approach to romance and character development. I loved how the secondary characters actually mattered to the story and were given the respect they deserved. Zhao Lusi’s acting is so expressive here, especially in her crying scenes. Wu Lei was perfectly cast as well. He brought Ling Buyi’s darkness and tenderness to life with so much skill. Honestly, I’ll be a Ling Buyi fan forever!
But the best part for me was the balance between humor and drama. I laughed, I cried, and sometimes both at the same time!
I have so much respect for this production, and I already can’t wait to re-watch it!
Was this review helpful to you?
NOT THE USUAL XIANXIA
Conflicts get resolved FAST in this drama! There’s barely any buildup!The two leads are incredibly powerful, especially the ML. He wields immense power, to the point where he can take down any villain or big bad with just a dramatic flick of his hand. The FL is just as strong-willed and independent, which makes her a perfect match for him.
That said, I did have to adjust to the pacing, especially in the beginning. It starts off a bit slow since the drama takes its time developing Shen Li and Xingzhi’s relationship. Some of the side characters felt like filler or just comic relief, though I did enjoy the occasional meta moments (Goddess Youlan).
One of the biggest highlights is definitely the cast. Zhao Liying is fantastic here, giving her character so much strength and depth. She’s unapologetically powerful and, thankfully, not whiny! Lin Geng Xin might not be the most expressive actor in c-dramaland, but this role fits him perfectly. He plays the stoic, all-powerful last surviving ancient god so well. I honestly can’t picture anyone else doing it better.
While this drama didn’t hit me as hard emotionally as some other xianxia dramas, there’s just something so compelling about it that keeps me coming back for more.
Was this review helpful to you?
A true masterpiece that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions!
The Untamed is hands down one of the best c-dramas I’ve ever watched. I even read Mo Dao Zu Shi while watching, and honestly, I think the drama surpasses the novel in every possible way.It’s hard to put into words what makes this show so special; you really just have to experience it. The characters are layered and compelling, and the story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster across all 50 episodes. What really sets The Untamed apart is the incredible world-building and character development. Every character, whether hero or villain, is given depth and respect, and the world they live in is anything but black and white.
Xiao Zhan as Wei Wuxian is phenomenal. His performance is so nuanced, and you can just feel every emotion he poured into the character. His chemistry with Wang Yibo is also amazing, but this isn’t just a typical BL drama, but a story about devotion, family, and sacrifice. It follows a group of young people on a journey that changes their lives forever, and it hits hard.
If you haven’t watched The Untamed yet, do yourself a favor and start now. I wish I could erase my memory just to relive it all over again with that same sense of wonder and excitement.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE HUMOR IN THIS DRAMA IS PURE GOLD!
I love this drama! It’s basically a hilarious tribute to all the historical c-drama tropes we love to hate. The nods and tongue-in-cheek jokes between the writers and viewers are pure gold, and even the OST lyrics feel like inside jokes for fans.The cast is fantastic and you can tell everyone had so much fun filming this. It’s not just silly. There's a mix of comedy, romance, intrigue, and court politics, so it has everything for everyone. I also appreciate how it blends historical and modern elements in a way that makes fun of c-drama censorship and all the unrealistic moments we’ve seen a million times.
I’ve seen some viewers compare ADWAD to Prisoner of Beauty, which was an amazing drama, but they’re not the same at all. ADWAD is its own thing, a very funny and clever take on the transmigration trope. It is silly on purpose to make important points about the genre. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much watching a c-drama before. A+ from me!
Was this review helpful to you?
DAMAGING PORTRAYAL OF AUTISM
While the actors deliver strong performances, this drama really misses the mark in its portrayal of autism. The suspenseful plot keeps you hooked, but the way it depicts the autistic female lead is problematic; it paints her as a psychopath with no empathy. On top of that, the implication that she’s drawn to the serial killer because he’s "just like her" (possibly on the spectrum) just reinforces harmful stereotypes.It’s frustrating to see a 2022 drama use these outdated and damaging tropes instead of offering a more nuanced representation of autism. South Korea, do better!
Was this review helpful to you?
Immortal Samsara - OVERHYPED
As a Cheng Yi fan, I had high hopes for Immortal Samsara, but ultimately, it fell short for me.THE GOOD
The drama boasts stunning visuals, a beautiful OST, and captivating costumes. The cast, including Cheng Yi, delivers strong performances. Cheng Yi, in particular, impresses with his ability to portray three distinct characters with unique mannerisms and expressions. Ray Chang's performance as Yu Mo is also notable.
THE BAD
Unfortunately, the drama falls into the trap of recycling the same tropes and character archetypes found in other xianxia dramas. Yang Zi, despite being a talented actress, is pigeonholed into playing the same cutesy, innocent character that she has played before. The story drags in some parts and has inconsistencies in its narrative. The finale also feels rushed, despite the addition of two short "special episodes" to provide a conclusion.
IN CONCLUSION
While Immortal Samsara has its good points, it fails to break away from the cliches of the genre and falls short of being a standout xianxia drama. It may not be worth a rewatch for many viewers.
Was this review helpful to you?
TOXIC, TOXIC, TOXIC male lead!
Let me start by saying that this drama starts with such an exciting, interesting premise, but for some reason, halfway through, the story becomes an incoherent mess driven by characters that engage in nonsensical behaviors.Overall, Wolf kept me very entertained (hence the generous rating), BUT my biggest criticism is that it romanticizes abuse to the point it becomes absolutely nauseating. As a female viewer, I kept wondering if the writers really, really hated women, because the amount of physical, sexual, and mental violence inflicted on the female lead by the “hero” of the drama is beyond anything I’ve seen in any Chinese dramas with toxic leads. It's quite puzzling that the censors didn't take issue with scenes showing attempted rape (in some disturbing detail, may I add).
And what’s even more ridiculous is that this drama tries to persuade viewers that all of these violent actions benefit the female lead, who is a helpless and mindless character in constant need of protection. After all is said and done, her character changes very little. There is zero (zilch!) character development: she forgets and forgives all the abuse she’s been put through by the male lead, all in the name of true love.
The cast is fantastic though, especially Li Qin and Xiao Zhan, who stole every scene they were in. While Darren Wang excelled in the action / battlefield scenes, bringing a certain toughness to the character that was very much needed, I found his overall acting to be quite lackluster. Besides scowling (A LOT!) and grunting in pain, his performance lacked emotional complexity and nuance.
The only category in which this drama gets A+ is the OST! Absolutely amazing!
Was this review helpful to you?
It was a 10 for me until the last few episodes. Then it dropped to 8.5.
Southwind is a bit rough around the edges, especially toward the end. Some parts don’t flow smoothly, and there’s a subplot that feels kind of unnecessary and way too over-the-top for my taste. That said, I really enjoyed the family dynamics, especially the power struggle between the Fu brothers. The cast is absolutely top-notch, no complaints there. But my biggest frustration? By episode 39, some of the characters who committed truly horrible acts didn’t get the punishment they deserved (Yunshen’s mother, I’m looking at you!).And of course, Cheng Yi once again proves he’s the king of whump. His character has more lives than a cat; he is shot, paralyzed, staked… you name it, he’s been through it all.
Overall, this was a great watch, but those last few draggy episodes definitely took away from the experience.
A+ for Cheng Yi, though.
Was this review helpful to you?
WHAT A HIDDEN GEM!
Ingenious One is absolutely brilliant. Every episode feels like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into the bigger picture. I was hooked from start to finish.Chen Xiao’s performance is next level. His range is incredible, and the way he conveys emotions just through his eyes is unreal. I was completely in awe of him throughout the drama. While IO doesn’t focus too much on romance, the romantic elements it does include are beautifully done. Yun Xiang and Shu Yanan’s relationship feels so real and heartfelt; it completely drew me in. Their dynamic is one of my favorite parts of the show.
For me, IO is easily one of the best dramas of 2023. Can’t wait for season 2! A+
Was this review helpful to you?
GREAT STORY, BUT NOT A FAN OF REN JIALUN
The story was great, with a good balance of court politics, action, and romance (though the latter is underdeveloped; the emphasis is on the protagonists' deep connection, with no physical intimacy whatsoever). I may get flak for this, but I found Ren's performance to be wooden and emotionless. He is not a versatile actor; he practically had the same expression on his face in every single episode, even in the harrowing scenes, where the script was clearly conveying that the character was supposed to be disconsolate and heartbroken (In some instances, you could even tell his tears were fake and applied artificially with an eyedropper).Was this review helpful to you?
