Bijou

Liked the Leads but it was lukewarm story.

I was eager to watched Peng yao and was like Zhang Sifan acting with Zhang Chenglu and Chai Huixin so i had great hope the drama would be good. I was thought it was lowkey glasses advertisement drama but apparently is not.

The FL got mirror curse and was the daughter of Zhao family. The mirror is passed down through generation by generations, but later in FL's parents generation was massacred due to mirror's magical powers. The culprits are Song family and Qin family (one of major families) and FL want to take revenge by using ML as her weapon as she search about her parent real murder with using mirror to get her other personality. By time,She was fall in love with ML.

Overall the story was quite complicated but somehow i got yawned on the middle so i tried to fast forward and the ending is quite nice

Recommended to Zhang Sifan and Peng Yao fans.

Read More

Fake Upright FL

I watch it because of Zhang Beixi even i dont like his character in here. I never fans of Li Ruoqi acting and yeah she cannot make me like the character.

I know the plot is quite common FL and ML break up and 4 years later they met when FL tried to make love with SML. FL get hymen operation to assure she is virgin lmao.

Genuinely felt bad for SML, He got into jail because her father did crime. His best friend backstabbed him to get his dream girl His dream girl just used him for revenge. Only his character deserve justice.

The ending was too hypocrite for me she want to get feminist stand by her but her action is saying otherwise always dependent on men. Ugh.

Not recommended. Full of FL hypocrisy.

Read More

Still okay to watch.

I actually watch few version and have lukewarm opinion about the script. This version takes a slightly bittersweet approach. FL is adorable and well-behaved. ML stills good match for FL. In this version, ML's family background isn't as bad, and he admits his mistakes quickly. There are many interactions between the ML and FL; the male lead dotes on and loves the female lead, even saying during their breakup, "Why didn't she play the long game? Why didn't she overcome her difficulties before dumping him?" She even blamed herself for not being there for her during her painful period. The chemistry between Li Ya Ya and Li Ke Le are still passable to watch but not to make your heart fluttering. Still recomended if you dont really like angst and bittersweet drama.

Read More

Lackluster second collaboration

I need to be honest this is one Jia Yixuan drama that left me disappointed with the plot

The plot is somewhat clichéd, and although the pacing is moderate, most parts can be played at double speed. Still got peeve on short drama (kidnapping, a knife-shirking act, and drugging). Since i prefer the leads real voice, the dubber voice acting was so grating.

I still don't understand why FL didn't trust ML from her perspective. From an emotional standpoint, she lacked love and lived on thin ice, which I completely understand. But I really think that from a rational point of view, if you think about it carefully, you'll know that that weird male classmate definitely had something going on.

Well, The second collaboration between Chen Si and Jia Yixuan are only for hardcore fans to watch.

Read More

For some reason it it reminds me for indie film rather than duanju.

I watched this drama thanks to Tiktok advertisement and not really regret my choice. The topic is about older woman young man romance and this is one of the best one in duanju. I afraid this is most notable Wu Tian Hao and Lin Zixuan works. The cast team is doing gods works; excellent; the FL truly embodied a 29-year-old career woman, and ML resembled a 19-year-old young rich heir. I don't really buy the romance in this drama but the ambiguity wins me but i don't really want them to be together, This is the reason i give this drama 7 ratings.

The director team is the best; the production quality is even better than some long dramas. The switching between long and short shots, and the subtle camera movements during scene transitions, are all incredibly skillful. I am not pro at videography but this drama has some indie film feels rather than usual duanju.

The plot was relatable, a rare find in short dramas with normal price levels and a realistic legal system. ML was a cunning, slightly naive heir to a wealthy family, while FL was a cunning, powerful female lawyer. Their age and social status created many problems, which they resolved, but throughout the series, they remained true to their hearts and steadfastly chose each other. It was a mutually supportive relationship between an older woman and a younger man.

Recommended if you like the logical plot about older woman and young man.

Read More

Drama Challenge: Find Bai Yan

I watched this drama because of Bai Yan and finally she got collaboration with Xie Yu Wang and i was baffled when i watched this because Bai Yan presence is more like guest star more than main character and the SFL tends to become Main character. The chemistry between the leads is only based on their looks. The interactions between them in the flashback and reunion scenes between them are reduced for supporting character.

The plot was a typical tale of a rich girl and a poor boy reuniting after a breakup, except the child and father are reunited first and instinctively recognize each other. It also includes some tropes about a pre-existing family marriage. The fresh concept is about retro setting.

Xie Yuwang really got soaked in the rain scene, that deserves praise. There are too many scenes these days where actor/actress just spray their hair with a couple of sprays and look dry when the rain scenes.

I was quite disappointed with this drama and wont recommend if you want to see Bai Yan.

Read More

FL revenge was quite efficient

I watched this because of Chen Si and Jia Yixuan and it was actually decent drama but for some reason i put this drama on shelf and rewatch again for better review

A pure sweet drama disguised as a revenge story. ML actually know he's being schemed against but still insisting on spoiling FL trope is incredibly charming. The kissing scenes are frequent and intense, and the emotional entanglement is more captivating than the revenge plot. It's a very comfortable drama to watch as background sweetness. The kisses was alright and the first scene was quite padded kisses for me.

The plot is relatively complete, tight, and logically clear and smooth. ML and FL are both well-developed. ML is love-struck, although there's the trope of FL saving ML when he was a child (that trope is generic, but it makes sense, because otherwise how could people from different social circles easily get to know each other?). That's why ML likes and helps FL but his love for her is genuine. FL knew how to use ML's love and power to defeat the bad guys one by one, and she also recognized his good qualities, gradually falling in love with ML.

ML recognized FL their first meeting, secretly investigated her identity, and learned about her past, which led to his repeated help to her. FL is intelligent and resourceful. Although she initially wanted to take revenge through a man's power, she is quite smart compare to other character in another drama.

Recommended to Watch

Read More

This drama like unflavored Mung Bean Soup

I watched this since i liked Shu Tong acting. Plot is about FL's parents die in a car accident. To investigate the cause of death, she deliberately gets close to the ML, hoping to use him to uncover the truth. During their time together, the ML unconditionally supports her, doting on her like a father, and the two are mutually devoted.

The plot avoids exaggerated or melodramatic elements, and the romance develops naturally without dragging. Shu Tong and Zhai Yiying deliver solid performances and are quite compatible; their crying scenes and eye acting are particularly moving. The characters are likable: FL is intelligent, resourceful, and alert, while ML is powerful, capable, and meticulous. Their relationship has a push-and-pull dynamic, like an innocent rabbit and a cunning old fox, but they communicate effectively, trust each other, act side-by-side, and their feelings are mutual. It's a pity about ML's older brother; I initially thought he was a bad guy, but he turns out to be quite nice.

The downside is weak script. The revenge story with a gangster background only has a framework; the case is just a verbal investigation, and the tragic backstory is just a verbal recounting. There's not much plot to drive the emotional development; it's just a simple piling up of romance. Overall, this drama feels like mung bean soup without flavor. My expectations were too high, and I was a slightly disappointed.

Still recommend to watch though.

Read More

This could be perfect drama.

I watched this years ago after watching Li Ruoqi drama with Du Yafei (I cant believe MDL didnt have those drama because it have almost same theme as this drama and i quite like the previous drama than this drama since the ending was okay)

FL remains clear-headed, dedicated, and contract-abiding, convinced ML is a good boss. She even burns incense for the "real" ML and sells her compilation of his preferences to SFL for profit. She believes she deserves love, doesn't want to be a substitute , and has feelings for the ML, but reason prevail and she prefer her dignity.

ML is very confident, self-assured FL loves him deeply. In reality, he's a hypocrite, having long loved by FL but denying it. He dotes on her and always strongly protects her. ML finally believes FL doesn't truly love him. He lowers his pride and starts pursuing her.

ML backstory was quite tragic , growing up in an orphanage, treated like a walking blood bank by his adoptive parents, and his only relative, his sister, is gone. FL is the family member he chose, so he loves her dearly. His grandmother conspires with the SML to cause trouble. Fearing he'll implicate the FL, ML agrees to a divorce.

On the day of the divorce, SML as if by divine intervention, kidnaps FL, and she learns of his love from him. She discovers she's not a substitute, that everything was premeditated by ML, and that his "white moonlight" is his sister. ML is even going to donate bone marrow to his father.

On the contrary, all the supporting characters help FL stay clear-headed and rational. The substitute trope doesn't torment her. ML and FL are well-developed characters; ML is flawless except for his arrogance.

Still recommended this though.

Read More

This one was unexpected fun drama.

I watched this show just for Cheng Cheng. He's perfect for playing a Hong Kong gangster. For Xiang Yun Jie, i still have a trauma against her but it was far better drama than her drama with Ma Xiao Yu in terms of chemistry and plot. I watched another older Xiang Yun Jie drama with Cheng Cheng and i think they are quite match for the leads.

I never expected to have comedy aspect in this drama. FL is a secret agent who travels back to the 90s, gets drugged and sent to the gangster's bed, but ends up killing him, kidnapping him, and even having sex with him. However, FL secret agent identity is pretty useless; it doesn't really showcase her sharp skills. The plot wouldn't be reasonable without her secret agent identity.

I still recommended this if you have nothing to watch.

Read More

Quite decent drama.

I watched this because of Hou Cheng Yue and have nothing to watch and realized the ML was Li Ruoxun. Speaking of ML character, he's really green tea-faced, competitive, and manipulative guy. He's quite interesting. He starts by boasting to the FL, calls her brother "brother," and acts all cute and pitiful. FL is brave and resourceful, a true general, and should go to the vast land to conquer and realize her ambitions For the romance chemistry, i feel they are kind lack on that think but i quite like other playful dynamic from the leads.

There's no reincarnation or time travel thing, be assured. The main plot of this drama is FL abandons the SML, and the SML and his mother reap what they sow. FL mistakes her savior for someone else, falls in love with the SML, and plans everything for him. The arrival of SFL leads FL to abandon SML. ML returns and proposes to FL, but she never agrees. In the finale, she only accepts ML. FL lets go very decisively, but SML keeps pestering her with his inexplicable confidence, while the ML keeps proposing to her, which she always refuses, finally accepting him in the end.

Worth watching if you're looking for something to watch.

Read More

Decent Action Comedy with good performance from leads.

I'm being conservative with my rating. A seemingly harmless but actually cunning FL, ML who's a master of deception, innocent yet foolish brothers, and goofy subordinates—everyone's a source of laughter, inherently funny. Just imagine how entertaining the plot will be. The plot is rich, with minimal verbal sparring. FL is decisive, resourceful, intelligent, and a master of drama. ML watches from the sidelines but is always there to cover for her when needed (though she doesn't really need it). The interactions between the leads are both sweet and hilarious, with occasional clueless characters bumping into them and getting themselves killed. It was rare to found comedy drama that match my humor code.

The character design of the violent loli FL is quite good. ML is like a masochistic, love-struck pervert. I don't watch Song Yubo's drama often but he seems to take on comedy route and he was perfect of this role. Cui Xiao Xuan performance was quite okay than some of notable actress on duanjus.

Recommended if you want some action comedy

Read More