Don't read All 10s reviews
Most of these "all-10s" reviews are clearly written by fans of the main couple. Do me a favor and go to their profiles. Their accounts are only created to hype up the drama. Unless you're one of them, you're likely to end up disappointed by this much-anticipated series. I'm just a regular BL watcher, always on the lookout for a good story, regardless of who's starring in it, so my review is unbiased.I do appreciate the production value, the sets, and the effort to make everything look visually grand. However, sometimes it feels overly controlled and artificial. For example, the club scene, the protest scene, and the market scene all came off as staged rather than organic or lively.
The actors are almost always dressed impeccably, but it often feels like they're just reciting lines rather than truly acting. I'm not saying they’re bad actors, but the script is poorly written and gives them little room to showcase their talents. There was one scene where NuNew had to cry after his adopted father died, and that was genuinely moving. On the other hand, Zee’s character supposedly has childhood trauma related to rain, but that emotion never really came through in his performance.
The rest of the time, it felt like the actors were just wearing expensive outfits, delivering stiff lines, and doing forced NC scenes, simply because that's what the majority of fans want to see.
Overall, this was a poorly written drama with a massive budget for set design and wardrobe, but very little depth. The actors delivered their lines with maybe 25% of the emotional weight they could have, and the result is a series that looks good on the surface but lacks real substance.
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This review may contain spoilers
Just another timetravel story
Overall Thoughts:Not a bad drama, but not one I’ll be thinking about two months from now. The pacing felt a bit sluggish at times, and I wasn’t fully engaged with the storytelling throughout. This could have been tighter and more impactful as an 8-episode series. While there were twists and turns, most of them were quite predictable. Still, that didn’t stop me from continuing to watch.
What I Liked:
The chemistry between the main couple was genuinely enjoyable and carried a lot of emotional weight.
The lead actors gave solid performances that made their relationship believable and compelling.
The bodyguard/assistant character was a standout, adding charm and balance to the overall tone.
What I Didn’t Like:
Armin’s hairstyle in the early episodes was distracting and oddly styled.
The creators leaned too much into lakorn-style melodrama, including exaggerated acting, outdated tropes, and overly dramatic scenes.
For instance, Armin repeatedly "accidentally" reveals information from the future to people in the past. This happens multiple times and starts to feel repetitive.
When Armin was shot on set, with real or empty bullet, no one would realistically aim directly close range at the heart and fire directly. a blank (or empty) bullet can still be dangerous and even deadly at close range.
The villains were particularly cliché, behaving like stereotypical bad guys from old movies, with theatrical tone, facial expressions, and gestures. The main villian ends up going insane in prison, a trope that felt tired and unnecessary.
Final Verdict:
A watchable drama with strong performances and great chemistry between the leads, but weakened by predictable storytelling and an overreliance on outdated dramatic devices. Enjoyable while it lasts, but not something that leaves a lasting impression.
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Not Your Typical Historical Drama, and That’s a Good Thing
I can understand why some viewers might struggle with this drama at first. I almost dropped it myself after the opening episode. Coming straight from The Prisoner of Beauty, I needed a moment to recalibrate and get used to the idea of transmigrating into a scripted fictional world where FL is playing a scripted character. (But I stayed because I really enjoyed "Extraordinary You" and the synopsis sorta reminds me of that)I am glad I stayed with it, because what followed was an unexpectedly rewarding experience. The writing stood out as carefully constructed, with intrigue layered throughout and clever use of chaos and misunderstanding, particularly around the masked hero, Li Shi Liu. That storyline alone kept me invested, showing how well the narrative was planned from the very beginning.
It would not be fair to compare this drama directly with TPOB. Although the two may appear to belong to the same genre, they operate on very different aesthetics and tones. Where TPOB has a certain grandeur, this series succeeds through sharp storytelling, playful twists, and its distinctive thematic approach.
I would encourage viewers to approach it with an open mind, rather than holding on to rigid expectations of what a historical drama should look like. If you do, you will discover a work of striking creativity. For me, it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Oh and dont forget to watch extra scenes after the end credits on the last episode.
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