2
7
1
Another Historical CSI
Just as I was lamenting what a summer slump this month is with no good dramas to watch, kaboom! this unexpected drama landed on my lap, with all 24 episodes released in one go. For some reasons, it’s being split into 2 seasons, with 12 episodes each. The very first episode is intriguing enough to draw any discerning viewers to continue with the journey of a brilliant investigator, a super good-looking police chief, a skilled martial arts female constable, and a spoilt little brat.As a genius investigator, Jun Wujiu (Li Xizi) has a very sensitive nose like a canine, and his observation to details is unmatched by anyone. He’s able to place himself in a crime scene and reconstruct the crime with his imagination. Though knows no martial arts, he uses his wit and overcomes all dangers that come at him. Besides him is always Su Wenyue (Yang Fuyu), there to protect him. She is a constable and the best fighter around. She is tomboyish, has a simplistic mind and her temper can be explosive, and yet she works well with Jun Wujiu. They banter a lot and their dynamics together are sweet and cute with a lot of teasing from Jun Wujiu. They are both the most valued assistants to Cheng Yang (Chen Ziyou aka Run Chen) who is the head of the investigative team. Calm and serious, he is level-headed with an analytical mind and works seamlessly with Jun Wujiu to solve crimes after crimes. Chen Ziyou has an air of Zhang Binbin (Vin Zhang) and looks like a younger Jia Nailiang (Jerry Jia) with the same good look, I really like his portrayal of the Cheng Yang character. A drama will not be complete without an annoying character. Here, we have Ouyang Chuchu who is utterly spoilt by her father and doted by Cheng Yang whom she is in love with, but he treats her as a little sister. The character does grow and later becomes quite lovable. The romance for all main leads is still in its early stage and hasn’t really blossomed yet.
All the actors are new to me. Their acting is pretty good playing their individual roles convincingly. The criminal cases are interesting, with a lot of twists, and with unexpected discoveries and eventual outcomes. When a case is thought to be solved and closed, new developments compel it to reopen, and more mysteries ensue. There could be plot holes here and there, and some murder/mystery cases may be too simplistic with forced logic, but it’s still rather an enjoyable watch.
Overall, after the first 12 episodes (season 1), this drama is not exceedingly exciting but not bad either. In times of drama depravation, I am rather grateful for such a drama. I'm savoring it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Cutest CEO in Love
This is a sweet, sweet, sweet romance comedy. It also has a love triangle, or love square rather. Basically it’s a story of a want-to-be female actor meets cold, wealthy, young, good looking CEO and both fall in love rather quickly. The storyline is cliché and tropey. However, I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the whole drama because of its wonderful actors. If you have watched My Girlfriend is an Alien, this drama has the same vibes.Ye Fei Mo (Lawrence Wong) is perhaps the funniest cold CEO I’ve ever seen. Lawrence Wong the actor is not that tall compared with contemporary Chinese actors, but he is extremely good looking with a crazy physique. He definitely has the charisma of a successful CEO who doesn’t come under the control of his family. I really enjoy watching Ye Fei Mo’s hilarious and silly meanness and bossiness, and his unreasonable demands which can be changed as according to his whims. As much as we hate an authoritarian government, being bossy in a jealous boyfriend can be cute to watch, though not tolerable in real life. Ye Fei Mo rehearses his lines, or his expressions repeatedly to find the perfect one, and the process is simply hilarious to see such accomplished CEO overthinking such trivial matters because he’s head over heels in love. Lawrence Wong delivers every time with his little hidden smirks here and there. His tenderness mixes with bossiness is really a joy to watch, and I laugh out loud each time. Lawrence Wong’s crying scene is epic; he’s so convincing, perhaps the best crying from a male actor. Great acting.
Ye Fei Mo’s love, Wen Xiao Nuan (Xu Hao) is a pragmatic, down-to-earth, hardworking girl trying to save the legacy of her parents’ theater arts. Xu Hao is a wonderful actor. Her portrayal of Wen Xiao Nuan is authentic, lovable and convincing. Perhaps an accomplished ballet dancer in real life, Wen Xiao Nuan’s intensive training is executed beautifully with actual dance movements by the actor herself; she has great poise and she is simply amazing.
For once, I love a powerful wealthy CEO’s mom, Big Princess (played by Li Ying) as nicknamed by her son Fei Mo. She’s shrewd and knows her son inside out. There are a couple of side couples with rather deep character development. I really enjoy watching the Gu Yun Zhou character (Wu Hao Ze) though the acting part is not top notched. Having said that, we can tell the actor is working hard to bring out his best performance, and I commend him for that.
This drama also reminds us the power of social media. It can create as well as destroy, especially in the entertainment industry which is the setting of this drama. One of the main flaws for me, apart from some of the logic, is perhaps the outfits of the actors. It appears that they wear the same outfits for days and for various different events (I understand that they may have shot the scenes on the same days, but still, these are the little details Chinese dramas tend not to take care of). I also find the complexion of the actors almost totally whitewashed. Though looking beautiful without blemishes, they look very unrealistic.
The last scene of the last episode reveals the identify of the mysterious girl with the “birthmark” who has also rescued Ye Fei Mo from drowning years ago. This is a great ending with all loose ends closed, rewards awarded and justice served.
If you want a good laugh and don’t mind the repeated storyline, this is a good drama to put on your to-watch list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Simple XianXia, Great ML, Awful FL
Love of Petals is a simple, easy-to-follow xianxia drama that’s perfect for a casual watch. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel—just a straightforward story about love, sacrifice, and a world where humans, gods, and devils live side by side without any fuss. The drama dropped all 24 episodes at once, which is great if you’re the binge-watching type. But while the story has its charms, it’s held back by one big problem: the female lead just doesn’t fit the role.The Story
The plot revolves around Gu Qing Cheng, a sweet little gardener who has a special talent for bringing plants back to life. Her dream is to become a flower goddess so she can go to heaven and see her parents again, who passed away when she was little. To do that, she needs to heal 9,999 dying plants. One day, she finds a dying peony in a graveyard, takes it home, and nurses it back to health. What she doesn’t know is that the peony is the original form of Lv Geng Yun, a half-god, half-devil who’s been through a lot. When the peony transforms into a man, they fall in love—but there’s a catch. His soul is now tied to hers, and if he takes it back, she could die. And without it, he could die too.
This creates a sense of urgency as Gu Qing Cheng goes through trials and tribulations to find a way to save Lv Geng Yun without losing her own life because Lv Geng Yun wouldn't let her to. Along the way, there’s an antagonist stirring up trouble, making their journey even harder.
What’s interesting about this drama is how casual the relationship between humans, gods, and devils is. Unlike other xianxia stories where humans are terrified of gods and devils, here they all just kind of live together. It’s normal for humans to bump into a goddess or a devil on the street, which gives the story a laid-back, almost cozy vibe.
The Characters and Acting
Here’s where things get a bit messy. The casting for the female lead is... not great.
Gu Qing Cheng (Li Lin Fei)
Gu Qing Cheng is supposed to be this cute, sunny, slightly naive girl who loves plants and has a big heart. But Li Lin Fei just doesn’t fit the role. She looks too mature for the part, and her acting doesn’t help. Her crying scenes feel awkward, and her overall vibe is more “serious adult” than “charming flower girl.” Her styling doesn’t do her any favors either—she often ends up looking like a Holland maid instead of a budding sweet flower goddess. There’s only one scene where she actually looks the part as a snobbish goddess, and it’s a dream that lasts about two minutes. It’s a shame because the character had so much potential, but Li Lin Fei just doesn’t bring it to life.
Lv Geng Yun (He Chang Xi)
Lv Geng Yun’s backstory is one of the more compelling parts of the drama. He’s the son of a flower goddess and the king of the devils—a union that was forbidden and ultimately led to his parents’ execution. Growing up in the heavenly realm, Lv Geng Yun is constantly bullied and ostracized because of his mixed heritage. The heavenly gods see him as an abomination, a living reminder of his mother’s “shameful” love for a devil. He’s punished regularly, treated like an outcast, and forced to endure the hatred of those around him.
When the heavenly realm finally condemns him and leaves him to die on earth, it’s almost a relief for him. He’s tired of the cruelty and hypocrisy of the gods, and he finds solace in the human world, where he’s free to live without judgment. That’s where he meets Gu Qing Cheng, who saves his life and shows him kindness he’s never experienced before. He Chang Xi does a fantastic job portraying Lv Geng Yun’s pain, anger, and eventual softening as he falls in love. His chemistry with the world and the supporting cast is great—it’s just a shame that his chemistry with the female lead is so lacking.
Supporting Cast
The side characters are actually pretty good. The second couple has a nice little storyline, and their chemistry is way better than the main couple’s. The villain is your typical meddling antagonist, but they do their job well enough.
The OST
One of the standout aspects of Love of Petals is its soundtrack. The OSTs are absolutely beautiful and perfectly capture the emotions of the story—love, longing, and separation. The songs are melodic and haunting, with lyrics that reflect the struggles and heartaches of the characters. Whether it’s the tender moments between Gu Qing Cheng and Lv Geng Yun or the bittersweet scenes of sacrifice and loss, the music enhances every emotional beat. It’s one of those soundtracks that stays with you long after the drama ends.
Final Thoughts
Love of Petals is a decent drama if you’re looking for something simple and easy to watch. The story is sweet, the concept of humans, gods, and devils living together is fun, and He Chang Xi is a great male lead. The urgency of the soul-sharing dilemma adds some tension, and Gu Qing Cheng’s efforts to save Lv Geng Yun give the plot some emotional weight. Lv Geng Yun’s backstory as a bullied outcast adds depth to his character, making him one of the highlights of the drama.
But the miscasting of Li Lin Fei as Gu Qing Cheng really drags the whole thing down. She doesn’t look or act the part, and it’s hard to get invested in the romance when the female lead feels so off.
If you can overlook that, it’s a nice little xianxia drama to pass the time. But if you’re looking for something with strong leads and great chemistry, this might not be it.
Was this review helpful to you?
How to date the mother of your son, again
Children can bring stress to some couples’ relationships, but they can also mend relationships. In this story, it is the child that brings a pair of estranged lovers back together again and rekindles their love for each other. The storyline is not new, but the acting of the whole cast, and the chemistry of the couple and child are amazingly wholesome and endearing. The love for a child can motivate any parents to seek courage and perseverance.Min Hui (Wang Yuwen) is a single mom with a child who has a congenital heart disease. She is also a talented artificial intelligence developer, leading a team in the development of software for use in hospitals for heart disease patients, a project that is very close to her heart. Her company is seeking finance to bring the product to market. As a foreign venture capitalist, Xin Qi (Wang Ziqi) returns to his hometown to seek for worthy ventures to invest in, and they meet.
Turns out, Min Hui and Xin Qi were lovers five years ago. They separated because Min Hui had lied to Xin Qi about her identity, and when she confessed, Xin Qi could not forgive her and left. After they meet again in present day, Xin Qi is still bitter with Min Hui. When he sees her with other men, he is even more bitter, thinking she is a slut. Somehow, he cannot let go of her because he is still in love with her, and she him. Like Min Hui’s son, Xin Qi also suffers from a congenital heart disease. When he finds out that he is her child’s biological father, he is elated, and moves into her apartment with an excuse of making up lost time with his son.
Their son, Min Quan Quan (Cui Yixin), is the most adorable child. Intelligent and cooperative, he has been longing for a father, and now that he has one, he loses no time in bringing the parents together; he is always there to defuse any rows between the adults.
Everyone has acted very convincingly here. The child actor Cui Yixin produces some amazing acting for a kid of such a young age. His Quan Quan character is so cute that viewers just fall in love with the child. I love how he interacts with his screen father Wang Ziqi as if they are real father and son. They hug each other like a sandwich in bed, doing everything just like real father and son do. I wish in real life, all fathers get to be so intimate with their sons.
Wang Ziqi’s Xin Qi is funny and very lovable. In the initial episodes, Xin Qi is bitter and cold, then later, he becomes relaxed, funny, playful and protective. Wang Ziqi’s portrayal is perfect. Likewise with Wang Yuwen’s portrayal of Min Hui – strong and levelheaded but can be vulnerable when her child’s wellbeing is being threatened. She is believable with good acting.
This drama produces 2 very sweet side couples and a pair of egregious antagonists. The backstory runs in the last few minutes of each episode, giving viewers the background story of Xin Qi’s and Min Hui’s relationship five years ago. The official soundtracks are beautiful and memorable.
My Verdict
This is a wholesome and sweet rom-com revolving around a very cute and delightful child, adding more love and fun to the story. A wonderful watch for the whole family. Don’t miss it. Recommended!
Bravo!
Was this review helpful to you?
Unsolved Cases of Kung Fu: Portrait of Beauty
6 people found this review helpful
Worst Wuxia Drama of The Year
The production team has gravely assaulted the intelligence of the viewers and I’m a sucker for completing this lowly rated drama; all I had wanted was to find out who the super villain was. This drama has the same vibes and settings of a wuxia drama in the old days: bad plot, bad script, bad acting, bad screen play, bad camerawork, bad special effects, bad props, etc. I suspect that it was made years ago, only to be released now. Plot holes are everywhere making the whole drama leaking like a sieve. The beautiful posters of the main characters are really misleading, directly telling us don’t judge a book by its cover.What I Like:
• A strong male lead character Chu Yun Xiao (Cai Jun Tao) who is strong and intelligent. He can fight with his fan and hit his opponents’ accupoints rendering them unable to move. These are very typical technics in a wuxia story.
• A genius doctor Leng Xing Chen (Zhang Nan) who can cure all ills.
What I Don’t Like:
• Super bad plot and bad writing. In trying to make the plot more fascinating, instead the poor script and screen writings have made the twists and turns even more frustrating to watch. The writers don’t even bother to cover the plotholes, and simply brush them over hoping viewers won’t notice. What looks like a mystery in the beginning with all the killings turns out to be inconsequential. The logic is bad and the actions are simplistic. The characters keep repeating their lines, saying the same words. At times, they're dumb like hell, at times they can see the future.
• Bad acting. The facial expressions of the actors are totally incoherent. The actors are unnatural, stiff, and overact. Most characters are not developed properly and are inconsistent, making them frustrating to watch.
• They use the same actor to play mother and daughter, they don’t even bother to make the mother look slightly older than the daughter.
• Camerawork is everywhere and haphazard.
• Fighting scenes are inconsistent. Sometimes Chu Yun Xiao can fight against hundreds of people and disarm them all; other times he can’t even fight a lowly servant even he’s not hurt himself. This inconsistency applies to many supposedly skilled martial art heroes who vow to fight and to protect, later end up dead or captured.
• The carelessness in dubbing is glaring – viewers can hear background voices of workers, script flipping sounds, some dialogues are inaudible, the mouth/voice not synching.
My Verdict
Watch at your own peril. Not recommended. Multiple times I had wanted to kill my TV. Don’t let your TVs or computers suffer the same fate as mine (my TV still survives).
Was this review helpful to you?
Racism Stems from Ignorance
This drama is touching a chord of our current society on the racial issue that has been propelled to the forefront of our lives and is compelling all to come to its reckoning. As we can see gradually from the drama, racism stems from ignorance. This is the story about the human race and the Kunwu race, and their hatred for each other. As always, the human race is the destructive race, killing as many of the Kunwu as possible because humans feel that Kunwus are atrocious and bad.After the killings, many Kunwus are left scattered, scared and hopeless. Their only hope is to raise their king, who has been sealed by the human race for 10 years, from his slumber so that the Kunwu race can be freed again. Of course, the human race fights tooth and nail to stop this from happening. At the end of the story, the human race realizes their flawed perception of the Kunwu race. Indeed we can all live harmoniously together in peace if we treat each other more kindly.
Su You Lian (Wu Jia Yi), a holy girl from the Kunwu race, comes to live among the human race in the Moyun Academy where the Dragon King is kept sealed. Her mission is to wake the Kunwu King. There at the Academy, she meets Li Xuan (Xu Kai) who is the protector of the human race. Unbeknownst to both, Li Xuan is half human and half Kunwu. They both fall head-over-toe in love with each other, and their conflict renders them in emotional turmoil.
The whole drama almost revolves around life in the Academy. It starts off with a lot of comedies as Li Xuan is an untamed kid and Xu Kai’s acting is fabulous. However, as the story progresses, the later episodes become more somber, and Li Xuan becomes serious as he grows.
Wu Jia Yi is a fantastic dancer. Her dancing scenes in the beginning episode are mesmerizing. As Su You Lian, she is tormented as she knows she’s not supposed to fall in love with the enemy. I love Wu Jia Yi’s acting. She depicts a Kunwu character so well as she exudes that unspoken charisma.
There are multiple love triangles here, but both Su You Lian’s and Li Xuan’s love for each other is unwavering despite their conflicts. A lot of time is spent on the emotional turmoil undergone by Su You Lian and heart brokenness by Li Xuan.
Once Li Xuan discovers his own true identify and Su You Lian completes her mission, the story comes to a conclusion very quickly. Like many other Chinese historical dramas where endings are shoddy with characters being written off in death, this drama follows that path. But to my surprise and perhaps to placate the viewers, the dead characters are somehow, miraculously resurrected.
Overall, this drama is not exceptional but watchable as it’s a mixture of being light and humorous to occasional heart wrenching. The CGI is like what you see in a computer game; in fights, people simply jump up and off the roofs and everywhere on the screen. The plot is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. Though not perfect, I have rather enjoyed it.
Was this review helpful to you?
What Really Matters
This is a real-life story with characters who may realistically reflect ourselves and people around us. It has intense office politics with people trying to backstab each other and unreasonable demands from their superiors. It explores the relationships between couples who are trying to achieve their ultimate goals, and in the process, losing everything. It tries to answer the question: What really matters?Story Overview
This is a story about three best friends, their relationships with their respective partners and their struggles living in Shanghai. One is a workaholic - ambitious, independent and magnanimous. In the process to achieve her dreams, she sacrifices her health and the thing that means the most to her: the man who loves her and she loves. The second one is a mother who wants the best future for her daughter hence immerses herself into everything she can possibly do for her 4-year old. In the process, she is blinded by everything and destroys her own happy family. The third girl is an ultra-materialistic girl who works as a waitress and spends all her money on handbags and fashions. She constantly seeks out the best suitor - wealthy and handsome. In her quest for the fattest goldfish, she doesn’t see the little angel fish waiting silently right beside her.
The second part of the story details how the three friends pick up their shattered pieces and rebuild their life. Li Siyu (Liu Shi Shi) realizes failure is the mother of success, and it is not success that she should seek relentlessly, but it's the process of achieving it that she should relish in. Zhang Zhi Zhi (Kan Qing Zi) realizes that she needs to build her confidence by enriching herself so that she doesn't need to depend on anyone. Gu Xiao Ling (Chen Ya Ting) realizes that life should not be dictated by wealth and let herself becoming a slave to it. The ending is very appropriate for all the main characters meeting their own fates: the ones who persevere get rewarded and the ones who go under the law get punished.
There are many conflicts we may encounter in our own life and in our relationships: career or family; should a woman marry for financial security or for love; should a man marry a woman who is only interested in his wealth; should a woman give an adulterous husband a second chance for the children’s sake; should a person remarry even if he/she still loves the other partner deeply (who may have died or being divorced); must a person get married; should a woman be dependent or independent; what criteria should be used to find one's life partner; should a woman consider giving everything for the family a sacrifice and if so, should she sacrifice for her family?
This drama brings out all the flaws in us as humans. There are moments one can be easily tempted and go off rail, as in Liu Yang (Peng Guan Ying) but fundamentally, he's a good father and a good person. Lei Hao Wen (Li Ze Feng) is also a good person who is kind and magnanimous, and a good friend who can be counted on. He just makes a wrong move out of desperation. Li Siyu has a lot of flaws too despite of all her qualities; she is too ambitious and high risk taking which may not fare well with many men including Chen Yiming (Zhu Yilong). And for Chen Yiming, like others, he has his flaws - he is over confident at first and loses all his confidence later and become insecure. I can identify myself with many of the characters here.
Like the characters in the story, many of us do lose ourselves from time to time. We make bad choices and set wrong priorities. We let materialism blind us. In answering the question what really matters, perhaps couples can work out their issues and avoid the pains like our characters are suffering in this drama.
Acting
Liu Shi Shi is a veteran actor, therefore, I judge her more stringently than how I judge younger actors. She gives a very good and convincing performance here as Li Siyu but occasionally I find her facial expressions confusing. Others may argue that this is good acting because in real life, one may need to subdue one’s expressions but still conveys the emotional messages. For me, Liu Shi Shi still hasn’t done this very well. In contrast with Zhu Yilong, as Chen Yiming, he manages to convey to the viewers all his emotions, without really that many facial expressions. A lock of his brows, a tilt at the corner of his lips, the sad look in his eyes, the flashings of his lashes – all these convey his emotional states and Zhu Yilong has given a 100% performance here.
The Message
Often in pursuit of our dreams, we get lost in the forest. We equate success with prestige, wealth and power. We replace our common sense with materialism, and in the process, sacrificing things that are most precious to us.
Ultimately, this story sends us a message: life can be complicated or simple depending on how we want to make it. It can and will be complicated if we have too many demands (eg. prestige, wealth and power); it can and will be simple if we look at what really matters in life, away from all the materialism.
My Verdict
This is a drama about life. No light-headed cute romance. No comedies. Everything is as how we live life ourselves - struggles, tears, broken hearts, failures, divorces, the craving for success, unemployment, capitalist greed, shady business dealings, office politics, work pressure, extra-marital affairs etc. It's a very down to earth and realistic drama for a very mature audience. It helps viewers look at themselves and ask questions about life. It is a thought-provoking story which should be enjoyed by all.
Was this review helpful to you?
Decent Story, Tropey & Cliche, Acting Lacks Depth
Adapted from the novel "The Stolen Bride" by Xi Juan, the series takes significant liberties, straying far from its source material. The Chinese title, 相思令 (Xiang Si Ling), suggests a poignant tale of longing between separated lovers, yet this theme is poorly executed in the drama. The prevalence of forced marriages—whether mutually unwanted or one-sided—leaves a bitter taste. The use of blackmail to manipulate characters detracts from any semblance of romance, casting a shadow over the relationships portrayed.Storyline
Set in a fictional era across three neighboring kingdoms—Nan Yan in the South, Bei Xuan in the North, and Xi Xiang in the West—"Everlasting Longing" spins a tale of intrigue and romance. In Nan Yan, a genius girl from a merchant family disguises herself as a man to run her family business. She’s also the secretive descendant of a master craftsman known for designing advanced machinery and weapons. In her search for a metal-like granite to craft a unique arrow, she travels to Bei Xuan, where she meets and falls in love with a man seeking answers about his parents’ death twelve years prior. The arrow found in his father’s body was designed by her family, making her a crucial clue. While he finds ways to keep her in Bei Xuan, she remains until her king, suspecting betrayal, arrests her family and threatens their lives unless she returns. At the same time, the man she loves is coerced into marrying another woman, forcing her to leave, heartbroken.
Characters and Acting
Jun Qi Luo / Jun Fei Fan:
As a woman, she is known as Jun Qi Luo; as a man, Jun Fei Fan. Intelligent, beautiful, courageous, and calm under pressure, Jun Qi Luo is a compelling character. However, Angelababy’s portrayal falls short, with unsynchronized facial expressions that fail to capture the character's essence, often making her more irritating than endearing.
Xuan Lie:
Despite being from a bloodthirsty tribe, Xuan Lie is kind and intelligent. As the general of his tribe, he strives to unite the other four tribes to strengthen the Bei Xuan kingdom. While Song Wei Long’s commanding presence fits the role, his acting leaves room for improvement. Styled like a wolf, his towering presence and fur coat do evoke a fearsome wolf master vibe, but the heavy makeup, emphasizing his hooked nose, gives him more of an eagle-like appearance.
Other Main Characters:
Surprisingly, I found other main characters like Shao Qi Min and Luo Zhi Zhou and their respective actors more convincing than the leads. Bai Bing Ke deserves praise for her portrayal of Princess Xuan Qing Kou, nailing the high-pitched, staccato voice that makes the character utterly irritating. My favorite side character, though, is Luo Qi (Chen Tao), Xuan Lie’s sidekick and almost a brother to him. Chen Tao's acting is commendable with fine facial expressions that compliment Xuan Lie's cold appearance greatly. The character I found most grating was Jun Yu Jue, Jun Qi Luo’s first cousin. Greedy, evil, and cartoonishly exaggerated, Wu Yi Jia’s performance, while over-the-top, captures the despicable nature of the role.
OST
The original soundtrack is a pleasant surprise, enhancing the emotions of key scenes, adding a layer of depth that the story itself at times lacks.
Final Thoughts
"Everlasting Longing" leans heavily on well-worn clichés and predictable tropes—falling off cliffs, women disguising themselves as men, and forced political marriages. The story unfolds in two halves, with the first set in Bei Xuan and the latter in Nan Yan, centering on the dilemma of love versus duty. While Xuan Lie prioritizes love above all, Jun Qi Luo believes that without harmony between nations, there can be no foundation for love.
Despite featuring real kissing scenes, the chemistry between Song Wei Long and Angelababy falls flat, with Song Wei Long showing more passion than his co-star. The plot twists often defy logic, making the storyline feel like a patchwork of forced developments. One of such weird logic is Jun Qi Luo’s decision to split her own family in pursuit of peace, and the illogical timeline at the end only adds to the disconnect.
That said, credit is due to the elaborate settings and the strong performances from the supporting cast, who ultimately breathe life into the drama.
If you are either a hardcore fan of Angelababy or Song Wei Long, or an armchair romance buff like me, you may still enjoy this drama despite its many shortcomings—but if you're looking for a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story, you might find it lacking in depth and coherence.
Was this review helpful to you?
Struggle and Life of an Entertainment Artist
As always, Deng Lun's performance is top notch. And for that matter, Ma Si Chun is amazing. She is so natural and herself. I love Ni Hong Jie's and Han Tong Sheng's performances too. They are just like your everyday neighbors going about their everyday life. There's no pretense; everything is as it is.All of us can relate to the story. Everything and everybody is realistic. There are no super wealthy and powerful people. There are no super nasty antagonists. It is just a story about normal people living a normal life. It is also the story of the arduous journey of an aspiring actor. Deng Lun has acted as if that's his own story, the struggle he has gone through himself before he achieves what he is today. It makes me wonder, what has Deng Lun lost himself, if any, over the years in his quest for success?
The story dwells deep into our own soul searching. What are we willing to sacrifice in order to realize our dreams? What do we really want in life? The road to success is usually laced with temptations. What is the price are we willing to pay to get it ( success)? Many people do feel lost and unhappy when success comes to them eventually. By then, many also realize they have lost what they love the most in their life - their family. Many have their regrets, but usually it's already too late.
The morale of the story is to know where to draw the line to safeguard what one values the most. Choosing and giving up a dream is very hard to do but maybe necessary.
As the saying goes, "Flowers can bloom again, but people cannot return to their youth ever". Hao Ze Yu (played by Deng Lun) initially interprets this as, "Don't waste time during your youth, go achieve your dreams". Not until he loses a loved one that he finally realizes the phrase actually means, "Treasure the people around you". What a valuable life lesson for us all.
Great drama! Great watch!
Was this review helpful to you?
Depressing
"Faithful" serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by women throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. In eras past, when a woman faced violation, the blame often fell squarely on her shoulders, while the perpetrators went unpunished. Though progress has been made in the modern world, women still bear the burden of proof, while powerful individuals can wield influence and wealth to evade accountability, even in the face of multiple accusations. This injustice persists in our society, regardless of cultural or temporal context.Following the loss of her best friend, Lin Rulan (Hu Yixuan), Meng Wan (Janice Wu) seeks retribution for the wrongs committed by Wu Lian (Qiao Zhenyu) against Lin Rulan, herself, and numerous other girls at the Embroidery Academy. Meng Wan patiently awaits seven years to attain the status necessary to infiltrate the influential circle of individuals crucial to her plan to bring down Wu Lian.
Meng Wan assembles a group of six like-minded individuals, all of whom have crossed paths with Wu Lian and are determined to settle their scores with him. Their collective goal is to ensure that Wu Lian faces justice and to prevent him from causing further harm to young girls. Despite his history of abhorrent behavior, Wu Lian has thus far evaded punishment. Meng Wan is resolute in her mission to hold him accountable, so that he can no longer inflict harm on anyone else.
The story unfolds in a captivating back-and-forth timeline, blending present-day events with pertinent pieces of the past for added depth and context. This approach not only maintains clarity but also infuses an extra layer of intrigue compared to conventional storytelling formats. As the drama approaches its climactic confrontation with the villain, the narrative attempts to provide a rationale for his actions based on his traumatic childhood experiences. While his eventual fate is anticipated, this attempt at justification seems unnecessary to me and, for some viewers, could even be deemed offensive as this is an obvious case of whitewashing.
The Chinese title, "The Nine Virtuous Ones," encompasses the first seven individuals, while the additional two remain less evident, having not initially stood alongside the others. The acting is generally commendable, though certain scenes suffer from lackluster execution. Notably, during a pivotal moment involving a burning of one of the “seven”, the urgency to save her is blatantly missing. Some logical inconsistencies and plot holes are apparent.
The primary story concludes at episode 24, with episode 25 presenting an alternate tale centered on the same characters, exploring a what-if scenario. Everything in this alternate reality hinges on Wu Lian, speculating how events might have unfolded differently had he not experienced a troubled upbringing. The notion that predatory behavior may be attributed to a traumatic childhood is a subject of ongoing debate. Personally, I find such a narrative unconvincing and, at times, chauvinistic.
My Verdict
The story mirrors a present-day "Me Too" scenario, wherein a predator of young women enjoys impunity through collusion with corrupt officials. The powerful evade justice, while the victims are left voiceless, shattered, and even deceased. Sadly, this system still persists in our lives today, where wrongdoers often evade consequences and show no remorse. Due to potentially distressing content, viewer discretion is advised.
Was this review helpful to you?
Part 1 of a Wuxia Thriller with Romance & Comedy
I love this drama. This is such a great watch. But obviously it is only a very small part of a long story. Accordingly, Li Mo Bai would have to compose 300 poems and solve 300 crimes. So far in this drama, he has solved probably fewer than 10 cases. There is no indication when the following seasons will be released, if at all. As such, though not ending with a cliff hanger, the main antagonist is still at large and the massive conspiracy is still not uncovered.Li Mo Bai (portrayed by Fu Jia aka Fingal Fu) is a genius poet. His attention to the tiniest details has also made him a first-class investigator second to none. He is able to look at things beyond the surface and from all angles. All these qualities have made him the best investigator and forensic expert around. For years, he's been trying to find out the truth behind the killings of his whole family. When murders begin to surface around him linking to his poems, he is implicated. To prove his own innocence, he takes up the cases and vows to find the truth. In his journey, he meets the love of his life and a wonderful friend in another.
Fu Jia is amazingly good looking. As Li Mo Bai, he exudes the air of a no-nonsense scholar and yet he is also an incredible martial artist. I really love watching him as a romantic poet who loves wine and yet, is deep as an ocean. Fu Jia's portrayal is so good that has made me love the character so much.
Dong Nan has a mission: to get into the palace with whatever means so that she can get the rare medicines she needs to save her granny. During her quest, she meets Li Mo Bai who falls in love with her and would help her in every way he can. Li Bai Rong's portrayal is very believable, as a strong, hot headed and unpretentious Dong Nan who is fond of using poison on her adversaries and even friends. Countless times, Li Mo Bai and Yan Dan Qiu (Wei Ran) have been harmlessly poisoned by her. The encounters are hilarious.
Nian Nu (Wei Chen Liang) is Li Mo Bai maidservant who has survived the massacre and grown up together with him. They are very close to each other. Nian Nu is in love with Li Mo Bai, but to him, she's a family. She's heart broken when Li Mo Bai falls in love with another girl. Yet, she stays by his side, helping him whole heartedly without asking for any returns. Wei Chen Liang's Nian Nu is the kindest 3rd person in a love triangle I've ever seen and her portrayal is perfect.
Yan Dan Qiu (Wei Ran) is the clown in the group. He is funny and cute, and lightens up the grueling story of the horrendous murders and crimes. He is an indispensable character that helps Li Mo Bai solve all the crimes. I really love this adorable character and Wei Ran's portrayal is simply amazing and believable. Together, they form the squad. They work seamlessly together, one complementing the other.
My Verdict
This is a great wuxia story with great intelligent characters and plot. I really love the use of poems that are made into riddles that our protagonists try to solve in order to solve the crimes or mysteries. The antagonists are cunning and murderous which make the whole story exciting as both protagonists and antagonists try to outwit each other. Dark jokes are brilliantly written with the murderers being murdered themselves. This drama would have been a solid 9.5, if not a 10, from me had it not been this short and incomplete with too few solved crimes. I’m patiently waiting for the next seasons to see more crimes and mysteries being unfolded by the squad with the play of poems.
A must-watch!
Was this review helpful to you?
When You Live, I Live
This is a long awaited drama of Ren Jialun after Under The Power. Ren Jialun’s characters have normally been cold, few words, serious and somber. In this drama, Ren Jialun plays a totally different character from what he normally does. Nalan Yue (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) is chatty, silly, and playful. It’s really fun to watch the other side of the actor and I have enjoyed this face of him.The story is about two young people from two very powerful but opposition sect families falling in love. Her family has annihilated his whole family and he wants revenge, but they’re so in love with each other and they’re in a dilemma. As the events unfold, we begin to see how much the two leads’ love for each other, making the title Love A Lifetime very appropriate.
At the beginning episodes, I was totally flummoxed. I wasn’t sure if I were watching a rom-com or a serious wuxia/xianxia story; I had expected a more somber drama. Things, including deaths, are taken lightly. There are a lot of comedic scenes. As the story progresses, plot holes surface everywhere with low level logic. The plot is in fact quite shallow and predictable, made worse by the poor editing which is disjointed and confusing. I’m utterly confused by the characters. Their actions do not match how the characters have been developed. When the situation calls for seriousness, the people act funny and silly; when it's supposed to be light-hearted, they talk as if they are in mourning. Most of the comic relieves are mis-timed. Their dialogues are shallow and simplistic, lacking common sense and not matching up to the situations. By the end of the drama, I still can’t bring myself to hate the supposedly most vile character – Mo Huan. In fact, she’s my most favorite character. To me, she’s a badass, despite how fearful everyone are feeling towards her and how despicable she is from their mouths. She’s supposed to be evil and atrocious, however her actions on screen contradict that. Even though she has her ulterior motive, she has rescued almost everyone. I would rather she kills or dismembers those who betray her to fit into her fearsome title, instead, we get her telling them to go and whack themselves 20 times.
Until the end of the drama, I still cannot say I love the 2 main leads. Their personalities are simply confusing. I do enjoy watching Nalan Yue – at least he’s everywhere rescuing everyone (everyone seems to have the ability to teleport). But I can’t say the same for Rong Hua (Zhang Hui Wen). Her acting is lacking. Her facial expression is plainly blank, and she’s stiff; she’s so unnatural that her body language is all wrong. Despite they’re lovers, I don’t feel any romance between them. There's no passion and the relationship feels platonic.
I do enjoy a lot of the sword fighting scenes by Ren Jia Lun and Lin Yuan. Their wirefu scenes are very good especially for Lin Yuan, descending from above like an ominous devil in red. I have also enjoyed some of the dark humors.
All in all, I have not relished this drama as much as I would like to have. Though I love the underlying message – power blinds – which applies appropriately even to today’s politics, the plot is all over the place. Poor screen play, poor script writing, poor logic, this drama has failed to capture my emotions, hence, a disappointment for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Light-hearted with Laughter and Tears
Watching The Starry Love in the context of today’s discord world of hegemony, I couldn’t help but relate it as a satire of the current world’s geo-politics: everyone wants to be the hegemon. The heavenly and the demonic realms are the two superpowers here in the story, trying to take on each other to dominate. The heavenly emperor is selfish, corrupt, and atrocious (sounds familiar?) while the demonic king is the equivalent but with a different ending (you may ask why).Despite its heavy undertone of geo-politics, this drama is light-hearted. Along with its main plot, it also depicts the issues faced by many parents today: even the god, demon and beast people have parenting problems. Shao Dian You Qin (Chen Xingxu) falls in love with Princess Li Guang Ye Tan (Li Landi aka Landy Li) whom he couldn’t wed because of a bridal switch; he defies his father and runs away (kind of). The Third Prince of the demonic realm, Chao Feng (Chen Hailiang aka Luke Chen), falls in love with Princess Li Guang Qing Kui (He Xuanlin) who is meant for the regent, and they elope. Even the crown prince of the animal realm, Di Lan Jue (Qin Tianyu), constantly defies his father and leaves home. (Therefore parents, you are not alone.)
The ideas of bridal switches and cross racial marriages (in this case, cross realms) are not new. How all these are being put together with heaven switching into hell, or mortal switching into animal realm, takes some imagination, brilliant storytelling, acting and cinematography. As the story develops its characters, jokes almost take over to show the audience the individuals' personalities. It captures various human relationships, such as the kind and loving mothers as in the heavenly queen and the demonic concubine (Chao Feng’s mom) with their sons, contrasting the atrocious fathers as in the heavenly emperor and demonic king, the bonded sisterly relationship, the friendship and platonic love between the main characters etc. The drama is full of funny dialogs (the dialogs between Chao Feng and his side kick are some of the funniest and loveliest) and paradoxes, and yet it also comes with heart-felt wrenching pains in separation and deaths.
In terms of acting, a big applause for the whole cast for putting up a brilliant performance, from the main leads to the supporting. I fell in love with Chen Xingxu (Shao Dian You Qin, Mei You Qin, La Mu, Wen Ren) in “Goodbye My Princess” and here, he lives up to his expectation. He has matured a lot since then (Goodbye My Princess). Playing five distinctive characters, Chen Xingxu aces them all, with the final character an embodiment of all the previous four. As always, he is totally immersed in his roles. Though not listed on the Top 10 most popular Chinese actors, Chen Xingxu is one of the best young Chinese actors.
Li Landi’s acting is convincing and she has an adorable badass charisma which viewers love. As Ye Tan, Li Landi makes the viewers empathize with all her misfortunes and cheer for her courage. She has delivered a very lovable Ye Tan and has an undeniable chemistry with Chen Xingxu.
The second couple’s story is well developed and beautiful. As the ever-loving sister, Qing Kui is graceful and beautiful. I really love He Xuanlin’s portrayal of the character whose love and sacrifice are very convincing. Last but not least, I want to commend Chen Hailiang’s portrayal as Chao Feng. This is his first role as a main lead. He exudes the charisma as a kind, but at times, not so nice, dark prince (like a bad boy), and I love it. This is a complex character stuck in a tormenting environment for survival and Chen Hailiang nails it, with a lot of ironies and humors. Bravo!
My Verdict
The Starry Love is a very enjoyable drama that captures laughter and tears. Most of the characters are lovable and the selection of actors for the roles is appropriate. The costumes are beautiful - ethereal looking for the heavenly realm, dark and gothic for the demon sect, animalistic for the animal kingdom. The use of CGI is heavy but done realistically and appropriately.
Overall, a drama well done for all to enjoy.
Don't miss it. Bravo!
Was this review helpful to you?
Bland & Predictable
I have always loved a badass female lead, but despite the female lead in this drama who is said to be sassy, I can’t stand her. Therefore the first few episodes are very hard to watch for me. As the story unfolds, her character develops and grows, and becomes less annoying towards the end, but she is still not totally lovable as far as I'm concerned. I stick with the drama because it’s a very short one at only 22 episodes and I like Zheng Yecheng.What I like
1). Zheng Yecheng, as Shen Yan, looks gorgeous in this drama in his uniform and informal wear.
2). Though not a fan of Merxat, I like his character here as Shen Yan’s brother, Shen Yu.
3). I like Shen Yan’s relationship with his brother. Despite they always throw sarcasms at each other, they love each other. They work together and help each other out, especially Shen Yu helping his little brother in all his dangerous assignments. I like both brothers being unmatchable great martial arts fighters.
4). Unlike other Chinese dramas, this drama doesn't kill off all the side characters at the end.
5). The official sound tracks (OSTs) are beautiful.
6). It is a very short series at only 22 episodes.
7). I love the beautiful embroidered guard uniform. Both Shen brothers look gorgeous in it.
8). Acceptable acting, props, camera work, script writing and editing.
9). There are no love triangles.
What I don’t like
1). The female lead character played by Yuan Bingyan is supposed to be lively, cheeky, bold, and full of spirit, but instead here, she is perverted, flamboyant, outrageous, cringey, clingy, unreasonable, inconsiderate, unbashful, and when she feels helpless, she cries. Her suggestive and coming-on-hard behavior is really a put off though it is just her facade. To me, this type of character is not really a strong female character because she has no dignity and is not fearless. Fortunately, the character grows and she becomes less blatant, and she knows how to use her status to her advantage and to help others.
2). As much as I like Zheng Yecheng, he lacks the cold, stonehearted look as the Lord of the Netherworld; Zheng Yecheng is too soft looking and his eyes are not piercing enough.
3). The romance in the beginning is rather tiring to watch: the female coming on hard, and the male is irresponsive; but when the male’s heart is melted, the female intentionally hurts him to make him leave “for his own good” – this kind of line is really overused and ineffective in capturing the viewers’ hearts anymore.
3). Rather bland story with no surprises nor twists.
4). Not much humor.
My Verdict
The plot is rather simple. All the antagonists are in the open in plain sight. There’s a conspiracy to usurp the throne. The perverted princess becomes rather useful after she falls in love with the supposed stonehearted commander-in-chief for the Jinlin Guards. There are some conflicts in the relationship and both characters are in turmoil every now and then, with the princess crying a lot that doesn’t capture my heart. The overall writing and editing are acceptable with not too many plot holes nor questionable logic. Overall, this is not a terrible series, but nothing special either. Watch it if you’re a Zheng Yecheng’s or Yuan Binyan’s fan but do not have too high expectations.
Was this review helpful to you?
Navigating a Betrayed Relationship: Empowering Steps for Women
While I typically steer clear of dramas centered around betrayed relationships, as I find them to be emotionally taxing, showcasing the turmoil of a straying husband and a beleaguered wife, this drama paints betrayal with a stark realism that hits close to home for many around us. Too often, the wife finds herself adrift, battling depression, and tragically, some even contemplate self-harm. However, tears and self-destruction need not be the path. The author offers a more empowering approach.It's entirely natural for most women to desire knowledge about the other woman in such situations. This inclination is quite understandable. Therefore, the author suggests locating the other woman. This isn't to coerce her to sever ties with the husband, for continuing such a relationship with a cheating spouse is futile; divorce is inevitable. Before initiating divorce proceedings, there are precautionary measures a woman can take to safeguard her interests and secure the best outcome possible. Lin Shuang (Zhang Xiaofei) takes the initiative to identify her husband's lover, Jiang Xi (Jenny Zhang). She establishes a camaraderie, imparting the realization that their mutual adversary is the unfaithful husband, not each other. This bond blossoms into a genuine friendship, with both extending a helping hand in times of need.
Next, it's crucial to reevaluate one's life goals. Revisit those initial aspirations. Lin Shuang recalls her days as a top-tier student, even outperforming the best of her peers. Nurtured by supportive parents who instilled invaluable values, she possessed a resolute strength of character. Recognizing the need to rediscover herself becomes paramount.
Returning to the workforce after several years devoted to family is undeniably challenging, but far from insurmountable. Lin Shuang confronts rejection in her job interviews, grappling with either being deemed too mature for entry-level positions or lacking the experience for mid-tier roles. Starting with a modest role and progressing upward is a viable strategy. Lin Shuang opts to become a ride-hailing driver, meticulously selecting routes that afford her insights into the job market and potential employers.
Furthering one's education is pivotal. The pursuit of knowledge and honing of skills should be a perpetual endeavor. Lin Shuang embarks on this journey, juggling responsibilities as a mother, daughter-in-law, and caretaker of the household. Through tenacity and diligence, she attains the qualifications and skills requisite for employment. This marks the initial stride towards financial independence, a pivotal factor in securing custody of her child post-divorce.
Securing the services of a proficient divorce lawyer is essential. Lin Shuang's legal counsel imparts crucial advice on uncovering her husband's concealed assets, ensuring she receives her rightful share.
Initially beset by low self-esteem due to her circumstances, Lin Shuang receives a wake-up call from Gu Xu (Huang Xiaoming), a childhood acquaintance and academic rival. He admonishes her for failing to appreciate her privileged family background (her father being a professor) and her innate talents, which consequently led to a lack of respect. This revelation prompts Lin Shuang to understand that self-love precedes garnering respect.
Throughout her preparation for divorce, Lin Shuang grasps a fundamental truth: reliance on oneself, rather than others, is the linchpin to attaining one's desires. Placing hope in external sources is futile; true agency resides within one's own hands. There are no shortcuts in this world; success hinges on self-reliance. True security emanates from within; it's a gift one grants oneself. Once you've bestowed this sense of security upon yourself, none can wrest it away. Marriage isn't a sanctuary; it's imperative to first cultivate independence. Marriage isn't a panacea for life's troubles either; it, too, presents its own set of challenges. The onus to resolve these challenges invariably falls on us. Life mirrors the act of washing dishes: one washes, the other dries, achieving synchronicity.
My Verdict
This story weaves a tapestry of marriage, family, friendship, and work, resonating deeply with many women who've grappled with sacrificing their careers and ideals for the sake of family. Life, much like a game of cards, doesn't guarantee a winning hand every time. Yet, possessing the courage to play even the weakest cards can transform adversity into opportunity.
This drama serves as a guide for women facing similar circumstances, offering insights on protecting oneself from a cheating spouse, strategizing for divorce, and navigating the process.
As for the performances, the entire cast delivers commendable portrayals, with Zhang Xiaofei standing out for her portrayal of turmoil, struggle, shame, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Jenny Zhang's transformation from a clandestine lover to a soulmate is equally convincing. While Li Zefeng's portrayal of Wei Ming falls somewhat short, as he tends to maintain the same expressions regardless of circumstance, a touch of variety in his emotional range would have enhanced the portrayal. Huang Xiaoming playing Gu Xu, makes his first appearance on screen a few episodes later. Remarkably, he maintains a background presence even after Lin Shuang's divorce. I take pleasure in observing the authentic dynamic between Gu Xu and Lin Shuang. They share a genuine rapport, even though she becomes somewhat authoritative with him at times and he complains she bullies him. The overall performance is commendable.
This is a compelling watch, resonating with viewers who can empathize with the characters.
Great watch! Recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
