Best dramas I’ve seen in a long time
This drama is one of those rare gems that completely pulls you in from the very first episode and doesn’t let go. I genuinely loved everything about it: the plot, the pacing, the emotional tension, and especially the two leads. This is the kind of drama that makes you fall in love with storytelling all over again.There's no filler, no unnecessary scenes, no dragging episodes. Every moment has weight, and everything ties together in the most satisfying way. The story flows beautifully from start to finish, and I never once felt bored or confused. It’s full of heart, intrigue, and just the right amount of drama. You know how sometimes dramas throw in misunderstandings just to stretch the conflict? This doesn't do that. When misunderstandings happen, they’re handled thoughtfully and resolved in such sweet, believable ways. It makes the emotional payoff so much more real.
And let’s talk about character development—because wow. The growth of both leads is written with such care. You get to see them struggle, reflect, change, and become better versions of themselves, all without losing who they truly are. Their relationship evolves slowly but naturally, and it’s so satisfying to watch. It never feels forced or rushed, just perfectly timed and deeply emotional.
For the acting, I honestly don’t even know where to begin because everyone delivered. But let me scream about Liu Yuning and Song Zuer for a second—they were phenomenal. I mean it. Their chemistry is unreal. You feel everything between them—the tension, the longing, the heartbreak, the quiet affection. Liu Yuning brought such depth and quiet strength to his character, and Song Zuer balanced it out with vulnerability, charm, and fierce determination. I really, really hope they get cast together again, maybe even in a film. They’ve got that once-in-a-generation dynamic.
Another thing I loved: the aesthetic of the drama. The cinematography was gorgeous, the soundtrack was perfectly matched, and everything felt polished without being overdone.
This is easily one of the best dramas I’ve seen in a long time—and one I’ll absolutely rewatch.
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A powerful female lead and a hauntingly memorable storyline
I honestly didn’t expect The Glory to hit me as hard as it did.As someone who’s been following Chen Duling ever since her brief cameo with Cheng Yi (yes, I noticed her even in that tiny role!), I’ve always thought she had a quiet charm on screen. But I’d never seen her as a female lead until now. And wow… now I get it. She absolutely owned this role. It felt like she wasn’t acting at all—more like she became this character. From the very first episode, I was hooked. Her pain, her strength, her vulnerability… all of it felt so real that I found myself looking forward to each new episode.
This drama is dark—there’s no sugarcoating it. It doesn’t try to make you comfortable. It deals with a lot of emotional weight, trauma, and the struggle to find belonging in a cold and often cruel world. And right at the center of it is Chen Duling’s character, who is desperately searching for something we often take for granted: a place to call “home.”
What I really love about The Glory is that it doesn’t romanticize her pain or turn her journey into a fairytale. Her progress is messy, painful, and slow, but so powerful. Watching her grow stronger, fight back, and begin to heal is honestly inspiring. She carried so much emotion in her eyes. Her character went through so many layers of loss, anger, fear, and quiet hope, and she delivered all of it!
I really, really wanted her to be happy in the end. There were moments where I truly believed she might finally get her peace, but—well, it’s a Chinese drama. There’s always someone who dies, right? It’s like an unspoken rule. And while it made sense for the story, a part of me just wished she got her happy ending without another heartbreak T_T
If you’re looking for a beautifully acted, emotionally deep drama with a powerful female lead and a hauntingly memorable storyline, this is it. And if you’re a fan of Chen Duling—or even if you’ve never noticed her before—you need to watch this. Trust me, she’ll stay with you long after the credits roll.
And a silent wish that next time, she gets a drama where she lives happily ever after :)
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A Raw Masterpiece Resurrected
This drama seriously blew my mind. First of all, as a hardcore fan of Zhang Xincheng, I knew he was talented, but his performance here? On a whole different level.He plays Pei Su, a super complex, emotionally scarred character from the original novel, and let me tell you, it felt like Pei Su literally came to life on screen. Xincheng didn’t just act—he transformed. He even lost weight just to match the character’s thin, haunted look. That kind of dedication? Insane. But it paid off big time, because he absolutely nailed the role.
It originally aired way back in 2013, but only made it to episode 8 before it was pulled off the air—because of China’s BL drama ban. Yup. It was heartbreaking. The story was just getting deep and intense, and then boom, gone. We didn’t even get closure.
So imagine how hyped I was when I found out in 2025 that a JP production company had bought the rights and finally continued it. Honestly, bless them. Even though a lot of scenes had to be cut or toned down, I’m just so thankful the show got a second chance to be seen :')
The vibe of the drama is dark, gritty, and full of psychological tension. The cinematography is stunning in a moody, low-lit kind of way, and everything feels so raw and real. It’s not a show you casually watch while scrolling your phone. You feel every moment.
And again—Zhang Xincheng. I can’t say enough about how powerful his acting is here. Sometimes he barely says anything, but the emotion in his eyes? It hits hard. He made Pei Su feel like a real person, with all his pain, guilt, and strength just simmering under the surface. I honestly forgot I was watching a performance. That’s how good he was.
Sure, I still wish we could see the full, uncut version someday. There are definitely moments where you can tell something was edited out, and as a fan of the novel, I would’ve loved to see more of those intimate, quiet moments between the characters (just my dream!). But even so, I’m super satisfied that the show made a comeback. It deserves every bit of attention it’s getting now.
So yeah, if you're into intense, emotional dramas with amazing acting and a plot that keeps you thinking long after the credits roll, Justice in the Dark is a must-watch. Zhang Xincheng truly shines, and for that alone, it’s worth your time.
Now excuse me while I go rewatch Pei Su's scenes and cry all over again!
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