The last three episodes were kind of a hot mess - but, otherwise, pretty darn good for a short. Thought main leads had great chemistry (although no real kissing/intimate scenes) Gonna have to go see what else these leads have done. Give a go - totally worth it.
kind of a hot mess, really. Cant tell if it's because of the bad editing, storyline, actors - maybe all of the above. Storyline didn't work - mostly because they don't explain the transmigration thing well - which is central to the FL character. Chemistry between leads is sorely lacking (and can we send both these actor to kissing school - what the hell was that!). Both are kind of stiff and not a lot of range. Another poorly written FL character - trying to go with naive, but just comes across dumb most of time. And I just about stopped watching early on during the early arcs because she NEVER SHUTS UP! I would have hit her at some point - especially since it's the nervous chatter cause she doesn't know how to be in silence + the writers need to have dialogue - just irritating. Another FL who many of the main guys fall in love with - only because she is nice to them - is no-one ever nice to anybody in cdrama land?? (rhetorical question there - cause, no, they aren't and its the driver of most 'romance' - not being able to distinguish someone being kind with being 'in-love' - I could write a whole dissertation on this). So, beyond that - dont really get her appeal for most of it. And dont even get me started with the 'brown-face' sh*t - beyond the blatant racism, the idea that simply tanning her skin makes her unrecognizable is ABSURD! ML character is pretty standard tesundre and this actor isn't one of my faves - but ok. Villains were stupid. On the ladies side (which is where most of the villains were) - the typical - he didn't like me, so let me burn the world down crazy lady. The mean girl troupe (Celestial Palace girls) and the girl whose jealousy runs amok. For the guys - which is really just the demon lord - secretly likes the lady who doesnt like him, but mostly just trying to prove he is more powerful. And whoever did this guys hair/wig - um....No! They just weren't that interesting cause we have seen it a bazillion times in every wuxi/xanxia story and it's not done particularly well here. Have to say my favorite character was Yaun Yi - although could have done without the romance - but ok (again, weird obsession in cdramas to have secondary romance going on). I would have liked it more if they hadn't made Zhao Ge so childish when they cured her poison. She has stilled lived her previous life and had all her previous experiences. The poison didn't affect her personality - just her appearance - so why the shift? (again, kind of rhetorical as cdramas love to infantalize women - so I get it - but come on!) HORRIBLE ending - besides dumb, basically negated the whole series. Ok, enough - I could keep ranting as there is a lot to rant about. I say - go watch at your own peril.
I actually feel like the pace was too fast (because of the episode limit) and that's why you were bored, because…
We will just have to disagree on the pace - but that is some interesting logic - i am bored because its too fast a pace?? No, it was just too slow for me. No need to try and explain or make excuses.
Just finished this, but it was a chore. So slow-paced that I kept getting bored and had to go do other things and come back. I think this slowness contributed to my disinterest in most of the characters o f which there were just too many to keep track of. I thought Cheng Yi did a marvelous job playing the dual characters (although not real clear why - but, ok). Preferred the white-haired Mr Li and it would have been great to get more of his back story - but that is probably a whole other drama. Had the worst luck of having what has to be the two worst brothers EVER! Next favorite was Yan Kuang Tu, beside Li Chen Zhou - he was the coolest- again - this needs a whole separate drama cause I somehow missed he is Chen Zou's dad!?!?! (according to MDL cast list) General Wu and Madame Wu rank up there Not really any exciting or interesting female characters in this - but, honestly, most of the characters in this weren't that interesting. I know it problematic for me when my list for the characters I didnt like far exceeds the characters I do. One highlight - it does have one really well done fight scenes - not all of them - but enough that are well done to give a shout out to. Ending is confusing I dont know - cant say I would recommend this to anyone to watch unless you really, really like slow, wuxi dramas and a fan of Cheng Yi.
Just finished this and would say it ok to pretty good - mostly because the cooking parts went on too long for me and I didnt find them all that interesting. I get it - the show is about a chef and all - but the repetitive cooking competitions just got old and the idea that she could come up with these brilliant dishes every single time she made a meal got a little absurd. The competition with Ming cooks in particular just went on way, way too long. And I had a whole other problem with this whole arc beyond the cooking competition - how is it that an entire delegation from China are all Koreans and it was so abundantly clear that Chinese is not their first language - that weird, over-pronouncing, slow speaking style that only comes with a second language. ML wins the gold star for this show - he rocked it - and given the news that this was a last minute fill-in - makes it even more astounding. Looking forward to seeing him in more things as a main lead. FL was ok. She did the comedic parts at the beginning very well - but fell flat on the emotional scenes later on. And given that they mostly only have her cooking throughout - males her kind of a one-note character. So, she just wasn't that interesting to me after a bit. Actress did her job - its just how the character was written/directed. Endings for villains were very satisfactory (usually something that is not done well) Ending was nice and while it would have been nice for more explanation - not exactly necessary. I think the biggest problem is they couldn't decide if they wanted to a do a cooking show or a palace intrigue drama - tried to fuse it and it didnt always work. Got too heavy on the cooking and missed some important plot lines on the palace intrigue part and then tried to throw in a romance that got lost amongst all of it.
I just kind of stumbled upon this and it was pretty good for a short Leads were pretty good and had good chemistry with each other FL did well in the revenge part of the story, but fell a bit short for me in romance part (just not a lot of emotional range on this front and another Chinese actress that needs to learn how to engage in a kiss) ML was on point Loved that we got the satisfying ending for the villains (they usually fail us there) The biggest problems with this are bad editing and a complete failure in writing in eps 17/18 and the usual rushed ending. But, overall, I say give it a go - its no bad at all.
I do not normally like medical dramas - but this was truly good. Ju Ji Hoon delivers another stellar performance And, I would say, a fabulous cast all the way around. Seriously - just go watch it, you won't be disappointed.
just finished this and there were things I really liked and things I didn't. Mostly enjoyed it and of you like this genre and the ML - give it go (which is mostly why I watched it) Cases were somewhat interesting and I like that they didn't drag them out. Office politics/intrigue was good (and I don't usually care for that part) I love this ML and he didn't disappoint here FL wasn't bad - but didn't love her, Also wish they hadn't written this character to be this genius legal expert that never fails (well, until the end, but its a case that she should have lost and that they waited until the end to give her a loss only to give her some bit of fallacy was annoying). The idea that a 1st year associate would be doing this level of legal work right out of the gate, was a bit much to believe - and, of course, she had to be in on all of them and always found the key to solving it. Add on to being wise beyond her years (unless it didn't fit the script and then she could be so dumb). Why they insist on writing these female characters like this is beyond me. "romance' part with leads was just kind of weird - its like they couldn't decide what to do with it - so it was just kind of left out there hangin' like a loose thread. I mostly wish they just hadn't not gone there at all - especially since she was his subordinate - and only in the context that she was a newbie subordinate - had she been working there for a while, I might have felt better about it. The age gap wasn't the problem - it's the boss/newbie-subordinate/maturity gap that was problematic. Weird ending - didn't like it at all.
this was ok. Interesting take on the daily life of attorneys. The 5 friends were lovely and had great chemistry together. Agree with most comments - waaaaayy too much time spent over meals - this was overdone to the point of boredom. main leads were good - but romance is not the point of this drama cases were just so-so Slow-paced - but that is usually how slice-of-lfe drama are. Glad it stopped t 12 - any more than that would have been too much to take. (they really even could have done less with all the waisted time spent eating)
I understand what you mean and I shared the sentiment. The writing for the character is for a tough, seasoned…
this isn't about being feminine or not being feminine - that has nothing to do with it. Its about a lived experience of fighting battles, growing up in the military and living on the border - this would bring a certain level of edge to her that is not portrayed/captured here.
Just finished this and overall it was ok. Immensely enjoyed Ryan Cheng - he did a fantastic job portraying the three separate personalities. Loved his Prnce Annan 'look' the best - gorgeous in black! My original assessment of the FL stills stands - just thought this was bad casting. I didnt get the feeling in the slightest that she was some formidable general who had grown up in the military, had lived on the border her whole life and been fighting battles. She was too soft. She didnt have the presence that would come from having this lived experience - so, from beginning to end - I just couldn't get behind this character. And dont even get me started with the voice - I had Youlang PTSD (Erlang, Erlang, Erlang!) with all the Ji'An, Ji'An, Ji'an crying - just made my ears bleed. Villain Empress was fantastic - man did she do cray-cray so well! So could have done without the Lu Xin character - not that interesting to me and even super-annoying in places. Loved Mo Yin! Thought BWJ did a great job portraying CP - going from victim, to villain to savior at the end.
The female general here is not showing her physical strength but her strategy/plan. In later episodes, she's willing…
not sure what strategy strength you think she has - on ep 11 now and all the winning strategies have pretty much come from he ML and he was pretty much the reason she has won every battle so far, while saving her ass at the same time - just sayin' - she hasn't shown that she is that great of general so far (from a strategy perspective)
The female general here is not showing her physical strength but her strategy/plan. In later episodes, she's willing…
I am not blaming the actress - it's totally how the characters is written and direction given. Hence, why I say I dont like the character. Although, I dont really think this actress is suited for the role either. But, mostly a character problem. Just my personal opinion on it.
as stated in my original comment - not buying her as a general in the slightest. This character has been in the military, at the border, fighting wars most of her life - she should have more of an edge to her. I see no commanding presence from her - and I say that as a daughter of a military officer. This may sound weird - but her eyes are too soft. She just doesnt hold herself the way someone who would have that background would - so it doesnt work for me.
Thought main leads had great chemistry (although no real kissing/intimate scenes)
Gonna have to go see what else these leads have done.
Give a go - totally worth it.
Storyline didn't work - mostly because they don't explain the transmigration thing well - which is central to the FL character.
Chemistry between leads is sorely lacking (and can we send both these actor to kissing school - what the hell was that!). Both are kind of stiff and not a lot of range.
Another poorly written FL character - trying to go with naive, but just comes across dumb most of time. And I just about stopped watching early on during the early arcs because she NEVER SHUTS UP! I would have hit her at some point - especially since it's the nervous chatter cause she doesn't know how to be in silence + the writers need to have dialogue - just irritating.
Another FL who many of the main guys fall in love with - only because she is nice to them - is no-one ever nice to anybody in cdrama land?? (rhetorical question there - cause, no, they aren't and its the driver of most 'romance' - not being able to distinguish someone being kind with being 'in-love' - I could write a whole dissertation on this). So, beyond that - dont really get her appeal for most of it.
And dont even get me started with the 'brown-face' sh*t - beyond the blatant racism, the idea that simply tanning her skin makes her unrecognizable is ABSURD!
ML character is pretty standard tesundre and this actor isn't one of my faves - but ok.
Villains were stupid. On the ladies side (which is where most of the villains were) - the typical - he didn't like me, so let me burn the world down crazy lady. The mean girl troupe (Celestial Palace girls) and the girl whose jealousy runs amok.
For the guys - which is really just the demon lord - secretly likes the lady who doesnt like him, but mostly just trying to prove he is more powerful. And whoever did this guys hair/wig - um....No!
They just weren't that interesting cause we have seen it a bazillion times in every wuxi/xanxia story and it's not done particularly well here.
Have to say my favorite character was Yaun Yi - although could have done without the romance - but ok (again, weird obsession in cdramas to have secondary romance going on). I would have liked it more if they hadn't made Zhao Ge so childish when they cured her poison. She has stilled lived her previous life and had all her previous experiences. The poison didn't affect her personality - just her appearance - so why the shift? (again, kind of rhetorical as cdramas love to infantalize women - so I get it - but come on!)
HORRIBLE ending - besides dumb, basically negated the whole series.
Ok, enough - I could keep ranting as there is a lot to rant about. I say - go watch at your own peril.
I thought Cheng Yi did a marvelous job playing the dual characters (although not real clear why - but, ok). Preferred the white-haired Mr Li and it would have been great to get more of his back story - but that is probably a whole other drama. Had the worst luck of having what has to be the two worst brothers EVER!
Next favorite was Yan Kuang Tu, beside Li Chen Zhou - he was the coolest- again - this needs a whole separate drama cause I somehow missed he is Chen Zou's dad!?!?! (according to MDL cast list)
General Wu and Madame Wu rank up there
Not really any exciting or interesting female characters in this - but, honestly, most of the characters in this weren't that interesting. I know it problematic for me when my list for the characters I didnt like far exceeds the characters I do.
One highlight - it does have one really well done fight scenes - not all of them - but enough that are well done to give a shout out to.
Ending is confusing
I dont know - cant say I would recommend this to anyone to watch unless you really, really like slow, wuxi dramas and a fan of Cheng Yi.
The competition with Ming cooks in particular just went on way, way too long. And I had a whole other problem with this whole arc beyond the cooking competition - how is it that an entire delegation from China are all Koreans and it was so abundantly clear that Chinese is not their first language - that weird, over-pronouncing, slow speaking style that only comes with a second language.
ML wins the gold star for this show - he rocked it - and given the news that this was a last minute fill-in - makes it even more astounding. Looking forward to seeing him in more things as a main lead.
FL was ok. She did the comedic parts at the beginning very well - but fell flat on the emotional scenes later on. And given that they mostly only have her cooking throughout - males her kind of a one-note character. So, she just wasn't that interesting to me after a bit. Actress did her job - its just how the character was written/directed.
Endings for villains were very satisfactory (usually something that is not done well)
Ending was nice and while it would have been nice for more explanation - not exactly necessary.
I think the biggest problem is they couldn't decide if they wanted to a do a cooking show or a palace intrigue drama - tried to fuse it and it didnt always work. Got too heavy on the cooking and missed some important plot lines on the palace intrigue part and then tried to throw in a romance that got lost amongst all of it.
Leads were pretty good and had good chemistry with each other
FL did well in the revenge part of the story, but fell a bit short for me in romance part (just not a lot of emotional range on this front and another Chinese actress that needs to learn how to engage in a kiss)
ML was on point
Loved that we got the satisfying ending for the villains (they usually fail us there)
The biggest problems with this are bad editing and a complete failure in writing in eps 17/18 and the usual rushed ending.
But, overall, I say give it a go - its no bad at all.
Ju Ji Hoon delivers another stellar performance
And, I would say, a fabulous cast all the way around.
Seriously - just go watch it, you won't be disappointed.
Cases were somewhat interesting and I like that they didn't drag them out.
Office politics/intrigue was good (and I don't usually care for that part)
I love this ML and he didn't disappoint here
FL wasn't bad - but didn't love her, Also wish they hadn't written this character to be this genius legal expert that never fails (well, until the end, but its a case that she should have lost and that they waited until the end to give her a loss only to give her some bit of fallacy was annoying). The idea that a 1st year associate would be doing this level of legal work right out of the gate, was a bit much to believe - and, of course, she had to be in on all of them and always found the key to solving it. Add on to being wise beyond her years (unless it didn't fit the script and then she could be so dumb). Why they insist on writing these female characters like this is beyond me.
"romance' part with leads was just kind of weird - its like they couldn't decide what to do with it - so it was just kind of left out there hangin' like a loose thread. I mostly wish they just hadn't not gone there at all - especially since she was his subordinate - and only in the context that she was a newbie subordinate - had she been working there for a while, I might have felt better about it. The age gap wasn't the problem - it's the boss/newbie-subordinate/maturity gap that was problematic.
Weird ending - didn't like it at all.
The 5 friends were lovely and had great chemistry together.
Agree with most comments - waaaaayy too much time spent over meals - this was overdone to the point of boredom.
main leads were good - but romance is not the point of this drama
cases were just so-so
Slow-paced - but that is usually how slice-of-lfe drama are.
Glad it stopped t 12 - any more than that would have been too much to take. (they really even could have done less with all the waisted time spent eating)
Immensely enjoyed Ryan Cheng - he did a fantastic job portraying the three separate personalities. Loved his Prnce Annan 'look' the best - gorgeous in black!
My original assessment of the FL stills stands - just thought this was bad casting. I didnt get the feeling in the slightest that she was some formidable general who had grown up in the military, had lived on the border her whole life and been fighting battles. She was too soft. She didnt have the presence that would come from having this lived experience - so, from beginning to end - I just couldn't get behind this character. And dont even get me started with the voice - I had Youlang PTSD (Erlang, Erlang, Erlang!) with all the Ji'An, Ji'An, Ji'an crying - just made my ears bleed.
Villain Empress was fantastic - man did she do cray-cray so well!
So could have done without the Lu Xin character - not that interesting to me and even super-annoying in places.
Loved Mo Yin!
Thought BWJ did a great job portraying CP - going from victim, to villain to savior at the end.