Touted as the Chinese version of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” this drama delivers quite a punch. The characters are sassy and have mad skills at sword play. It was funny to watch Xiao Nian and Wu Ming make up excuses about their whereabouts when asked, and how they attempt to hide their secret identities from each other. Especially enjoyable is Xiao Nian’s antics in hiding her stash of wine jugs! These two together are so sweet!
Equally loveable is the second pairing of Wen Fang and Bao Er. I find Wen Fang’s cute, awkward moments with Bao Er, and her way of sniffing him out, very amusing. The production team deserves commendation for their creative and captivating interpretation of the source material, despite limited resources. A great effort for an ambitious task.
This drama would be the story of LI Tong Guang and Ren Ru Yi (from A Journey to Love) if Ruyi returned Tong Guang’s affections. But Chu Ning Yuan is not as obsessive as Li Tong Guang, which is a blessing. The willingness of the Seventh Prince to be subservient to a maid is unexpected in a historical Chinese drama, and this unusual dynamic encourages other maids to challenge traditional roles and speak their minds. Not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. To promote female empowerment, let’s assume that this is an improvement and that social class distinctions are solely based on positions.
Plotwise, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Shen Yan wants revenge and helps the Prince along the way. Female badassery at its finest for a short drama. Acting wise, they are both decent, but when paired together, their chemistry is chemistrying. Looking forward to their other works together!
This drama reminded me a lot of “Shining for One Thing,” and therefore, perhaps unjustifiably, I made a lot of comparisons to that show. In contrast to “SFOT”, this drama is mediocre, and it’s no fault of the actors. I’ve seen Zhang Miao Yi in other works, so I know where her capabilities lie. I don’t enjoy time-travel dramas unless they are well-made. Granted, this has a shorter runtime, it’s not surprising that there would be some kinks that still needed to be ironed out. Possibly, a bigger budget or production could allow for a more fully developed story and plot. As it stands, it’s passable.
I didn't know much about Kdramas in 2023 and this was the second one i watched, and it was fantastic, I tried…
I think the length of the series is perfect for what it is. Any longer would make it draggy but I do agree with you about knowing it's history will help and totally also on board with the letter monologue! That would be daebak!
This drama is surprisingly decent, and I have to lay the credit on Leo Yang’s shoulders. His performance as an undercover agent who was also a mafia boss was impeccable, a compelling duality of good and evil where he balanced fighting for justice with the sharp mind needed for shady business.
However, the same can’t be said for Han Le Yao, and it may not be entirely her fault. I thought her character was poorly developed; she attempted too much with insufficient understanding. Ling Yi only latched on to A Sen hoping to gain information on how her aunt died. Instead, she only became a burden. I’m quite annoyed by Ling Yi’s repeated rescues. I place the blame squarely on her, regardless of her well-meaning interference, which consistently creates difficulties for A Sen. How is an officer supposed to do their job when she puts herself in danger? Instead of helping, Ling Yi has become a liability for A Sen.
The plot, though interesting, has its fair share of loopholes. But if you overlook them, this could be an entertaining watch.
This drama is a decent attempt to incorporate fantastical, mysterious, modern, historical, comedic, tragic elements into one big pot. Who would have thought that a Demon and a Demon Hunter could be besties, and change each other’s perception of human or demonic nature? The concept of this drama was certainly intriguing.
The arcs are all self-contained, with a well-managed transition between past and present narratives. I don’t expect the best CGI, makeup, or props, and yes, some of the acting could be improved, but for a low-budget production, I believe it maximized its limited resources.
When this drama started, it reminded me of “A Walk to Remember.”
Both FL’s from the movie and this drama were studious and strait-laced, while both Males are trouble-makers, and because of the numerous similarities between this drama and the movie, I was not expecting this drama to veer off the script. While the movie tugged at my heartstrings, this one did not. It was a lackluster attempt to replicate the story, even though perhaps this is not the drama’s intent. As a standalone, it’s passable, though no fault of the actors. They were great in their performances, if perhaps given a better vehicle.
What a saucy, sassy, spicy and succulent show this is!!! Where I initially thought that the goody-two shoes Ming Yu would be a demure. damsel in distress, she turns out to be a bad-ass and knows how to play the manipulation game as good, if not better, than her opponents. Then there’s the man of mystery, the scrumptious and sexy Xiu Zi, who presents himself as a bad-boy but turns out he is just a lost puppy looking for his master.
You could easily imagine whips and chains in a story such as this. Oh right, yes, they did use them as props, but not in bed. So sad.
Ke Chun and Yu Yin provided the visuals and brought their acting chops to the table. Their chemistry is on fire that it almost burned a hole through my screen.
I know this is a low-budget, low-brow kind of drama, but I just can’t get enough of it. Such an exciting and short vertical drama that kept me at the edge of my seat while fanning my face. The only detraction for me is I watched this on iQiyi and god, the English names that they gave the characters were jarring! I could not even! Otherwise, it would be a perfect 10!
While this drama slowly started as a woman trying to shirk her filial duty into marrying into a noble family,…
I am really weird, in that I DO like age-gap romance when the FL is older than the ML (drama or IRL), but not so much when the ML is older than the FL. What do you call this? Ageist? Sexist? So that's why I was rooting for Crown Prince & ZH, hahaha.
Quick Summary:I’m trying to figure out how to review a touching drama with subpar acting. Don’t get me wrong,…
The start was encouraging, especially given Bloom’s supposedly low popularity as a boy group, so it makes absolute sense if their performances were lack luster. By the show’s end, I thought they would have improved, but they flashed the same old choreo and some of the wardrobe choices that should have been left inside the closet.
The friendly family feel between Asuka and the group was nice, but I’m unsure how Yuri living in the dorm advanced the story. Is that even allowed? What gives Asuka the right to let her sister stay on company property without prior consent from the boys or management? Why even bother adding the sister’s backstory? It served no purpose, just as the last-minute addition of an ex-member did to the plot.
I think it’s the ear-worm soundtrack that saved this drama. The songs were stuck in my head for weeks. I also appreciated how delicately the drama handled the age-gap and teacher-student relationship. It was sweet and not bordering on creepy or icky territory. One might even call it understated romance, as Dan clearly felt stronger romantic feelings for Asuka, but it’s unclear if Asuka reciprocated those feelings to the same degree. Her feelings for Dan might simply be those of a mentor towards a mentee. It was very vague, and perhaps Asuka’s fondness had no further meaning beyond encouragement. While some people were clamoring for a kiss between Dan and Asuka, I’m content with a hug as a conclusion to their relationship.
I’m trying to figure out how to review a touching drama with subpar acting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this show immensely, with its message of going after your dreams and never giving up. What detracted me from the show is the contrived conflict that they produced, as an excuse to dismantle the band.
A decent, quick watch, but nothing ground-breaking. Full review in the spoiler below:
The premise was interesting, and the beginning started out great. At first I was low-key shipping the brother and the adopted-sister, without even knowing the whole story until the brother’s bestie proved himself a worthy partner. As it turned out, He Ting Zhou had been silently pining her for years. I was fine with the evil step-mother even, as is she’s the staple villain that is requisite in every Cinderella-esque story.
But what blind-sided me is the complete reversals of some characters and there was not even any warning. Shen Yu’s pathetic attempts to grasp Shuang Yu’s misplaced affections are equally absurd, like a cowardly child hiding behind his mother’s coattails and sulking when his friend takes his sweets. A decent, quick watch, but nothing ground-breaking.
Because it was highly rated, I expected this drama to be amazing, which is a mistake on my part. It might have…
The premise of a badass female assassin, coupled with an equally formidable leader of the opposing nation -- this is a rivals-turned-lovers plot that is right up my alley. Initially, their relationship was captivating, a passionate, even aggressive game of cat and mouse, with Ru Yi claiming Yuan Zhou as the father of her unborn children. Talk about brash and bold, with a not-subtle hint of non-consent. Why the writers decide to ruin such a character with this character flaw is beyond me, but I guess this is her shortcoming. Otherwise, Ren Ru Yi is unbeatable.
For his part, Ning Yuan Zhou was supposedly indestructible as well, that is, until he succumbs to the offensive charms of Ru Yi. Trying to get away from a life in the court, did not last long as he had been called to task by the Prime Minister to go into basically a suicide mission. Because he had nothing better to do, Yuan Zhou complies and brings along his comrades who have been equally withering away due to the lack of exercise.
We see all the pomp and circumstance of dressing all of them in dashing blue uniforms, so women (or perhaps men, too) can have their pick. The drama regales us with their backstories, so we all can be emotionally attached when they venture into enemy territory, because their unworthy king’s ass needed to be saved.
Everything was going as well as it should, despite many setbacks. With a traitor, ten or more, an inexperienced prince, and a hidden assassin amongst them, it’s a miracle Wu’s delegation made it halfway without killing each other—internal conflict was inevitable.
Meanwhile, we see that the State of An has their own unsavory characters, beginning with the Emperor and his unruly sideburns, and of course, the man-child Li Tong Guang who has an obsession with his master and with a curling iron. One would expect that seeing Ru Yi and Yuan Zhou’s affection so often would discourage him, but it only intensifies his anger. Like dude, you have zero chance. How many times should they tell you? You want them to have sex in front of you? On second thought, Li Tong Guang might enjoy it. Scratch that.
While most of the secondary cast were adorable, there were some that were underutilized. For example, Chu Yue and her father; I really thought that they would be more prominent in the drama. Instead, the drama included insignificant quibbles of the An princes vying for the throne. The story would have benefited from a reduction of flashbacks about the dead Empress and more development of subsequent scenes.
By the show’s halfway mark, I found Ru Yi and Yuan Zhou’s romance unconvincing; their willingness to leave their comrades while going on dates felt contrived. The most ridiculous part was the pair lip-locking on the battlefield as if death and destruction weren’t around them. Meanwhile, the soldier’s on the field: “Hey guys, it’s rude to kill them while they’re making kissy-faces, so let’s just leave them alone.” Duh!
The only character development that I admired was that of Yang Ying's. From a vulnerable princess seeking marriage to her childhood crush, she grew into a strategic and benevolent ruler, bravely facing her enemies while caring for her subjects.
Because it was highly rated, I expected this drama to be amazing, which is a mistake on my part. It might have been better to watch the drama without preconceived notions. While I anticipated a casualty or two—Yuan Lu, whose illness meant he’d likely not live past 20, and potentially Sun Lang or Qian Zhao—on this journey. So many deaths happening in rapid sequence and so suddenly was completely unexpected. I prefer them all dying, or, failing that, at least Yi Shi San surviving to recount their heroic sacrifices to future generations. I think killing him off is the gravest sin of all.
2 
Equally loveable is the second pairing of Wen Fang and Bao Er. I find Wen Fang’s cute, awkward moments with Bao Er, and her way of sniffing him out, very amusing. The production team deserves commendation for their creative and captivating interpretation of the source material, despite limited resources. A great effort for an ambitious task.
Plotwise, it’s as straightforward as it gets. Shen Yan wants revenge and helps the Prince along the way. Female badassery at its finest for a short drama. Acting wise, they are both decent, but when paired together, their chemistry is chemistrying. Looking forward to their other works together!
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https://www.koreaboo.com/asia/prom-ratchapa-worrasarn-sex-scandal-fans-minors-agency-responds/
However, the same can’t be said for Han Le Yao, and it may not be entirely her fault. I thought her character was poorly developed; she attempted too much with insufficient understanding. Ling Yi only latched on to A Sen hoping to gain information on how her aunt died. Instead, she only became a burden. I’m quite annoyed by Ling Yi’s repeated rescues. I place the blame squarely on her, regardless of her well-meaning interference, which consistently creates difficulties for A Sen. How is an officer supposed to do their job when she puts herself in danger? Instead of helping, Ling Yi has become a liability for A Sen.
The plot, though interesting, has its fair share of loopholes. But if you overlook them, this could be an entertaining watch.
The arcs are all self-contained, with a well-managed transition between past and present narratives. I don’t expect the best CGI, makeup, or props, and yes, some of the acting could be improved, but for a low-budget production, I believe it maximized its limited resources.
Both FL’s from the movie and this drama were studious and strait-laced, while both Males are trouble-makers, and because of the numerous similarities between this drama and the movie, I was not expecting this drama to veer off the script. While the movie tugged at my heartstrings, this one did not. It was a lackluster attempt to replicate the story, even though perhaps this is not the drama’s intent. As a standalone, it’s passable, though no fault of the actors. They were great in their performances, if perhaps given a better vehicle.
You could easily imagine whips and chains in a story such as this. Oh right, yes, they did use them as props, but not in bed. So sad.
Ke Chun and Yu Yin provided the visuals and brought their acting chops to the table. Their chemistry is on fire that it almost burned a hole through my screen.
I know this is a low-budget, low-brow kind of drama, but I just can’t get enough of it. Such an exciting and short vertical drama that kept me at the edge of my seat while fanning my face. The only detraction for me is I watched this on iQiyi and god, the English names that they gave the characters were jarring! I could not even! Otherwise, it would be a perfect 10!
The friendly family feel between Asuka and the group was nice, but I’m unsure how Yuri living in the dorm advanced the story. Is that even allowed? What gives Asuka the right to let her sister stay on company property without prior consent from the boys or management? Why even bother adding the sister’s backstory? It served no purpose, just as the last-minute addition of an ex-member did to the plot.
I think it’s the ear-worm soundtrack that saved this drama. The songs were stuck in my head for weeks. I also appreciated how delicately the drama handled the age-gap and teacher-student relationship. It was sweet and not bordering on creepy or icky territory. One might even call it understated romance, as Dan clearly felt stronger romantic feelings for Asuka, but it’s unclear if Asuka reciprocated those feelings to the same degree. Her feelings for Dan might simply be those of a mentor towards a mentee. It was very vague, and perhaps Asuka’s fondness had no further meaning beyond encouragement. While some people were clamoring for a kiss between Dan and Asuka, I’m content with a hug as a conclusion to their relationship.
I’m trying to figure out how to review a touching drama with subpar acting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this show immensely, with its message of going after your dreams and never giving up. What detracted me from the show is the contrived conflict that they produced, as an excuse to dismantle the band.
Full review in the spoiler below:
But what blind-sided me is the complete reversals of some characters and there was not even any warning. Shen Yu’s pathetic attempts to grasp Shuang Yu’s misplaced affections are equally absurd, like a cowardly child hiding behind his mother’s coattails and sulking when his friend takes his sweets. A decent, quick watch, but nothing ground-breaking.
Full review in the spoiler below:
For his part, Ning Yuan Zhou was supposedly indestructible as well, that is, until he succumbs to the offensive charms of Ru Yi. Trying to get away from a life in the court, did not last long as he had been called to task by the Prime Minister to go into basically a suicide mission. Because he had nothing better to do, Yuan Zhou complies and brings along his comrades who have been equally withering away due to the lack of exercise.
We see all the pomp and circumstance of dressing all of them in dashing blue uniforms, so women (or perhaps men, too) can have their pick. The drama regales us with their backstories, so we all can be emotionally attached when they venture into enemy territory, because their unworthy king’s ass needed to be saved.
Everything was going as well as it should, despite many setbacks. With a traitor, ten or more, an inexperienced prince, and a hidden assassin amongst them, it’s a miracle Wu’s delegation made it halfway without killing each other—internal conflict was inevitable.
Meanwhile, we see that the State of An has their own unsavory characters, beginning with the Emperor and his unruly sideburns, and of course, the man-child Li Tong Guang who has an obsession with his master and with a curling iron. One would expect that seeing Ru Yi and Yuan Zhou’s affection so often would discourage him, but it only intensifies his anger. Like dude, you have zero chance. How many times should they tell you? You want them to have sex in front of you? On second thought, Li Tong Guang might enjoy it. Scratch that.
While most of the secondary cast were adorable, there were some that were underutilized. For example, Chu Yue and her father; I really thought that they would be more prominent in the drama. Instead, the drama included insignificant quibbles of the An princes vying for the throne. The story would have benefited from a reduction of flashbacks about the dead Empress and more development of subsequent scenes.
By the show’s halfway mark, I found Ru Yi and Yuan Zhou’s romance unconvincing; their willingness to leave their comrades while going on dates felt contrived. The most ridiculous part was the pair lip-locking on the battlefield as if death and destruction weren’t around them. Meanwhile, the soldier’s on the field: “Hey guys, it’s rude to kill them while they’re making kissy-faces, so let’s just leave them alone.” Duh!
The only character development that I admired was that of Yang Ying's. From a vulnerable princess seeking marriage to her childhood crush, she grew into a strategic and benevolent ruler, bravely facing her enemies while caring for her subjects.
Because it was highly rated, I expected this drama to be amazing, which is a mistake on my part. It might have been better to watch the drama without preconceived notions. While I anticipated a casualty or two—Yuan Lu, whose illness meant he’d likely not live past 20, and potentially Sun Lang or Qian Zhao—on this journey. So many deaths happening in rapid sequence and so suddenly was completely unexpected. I prefer them all dying, or, failing that, at least Yi Shi San surviving to recount their heroic sacrifices to future generations. I think killing him off is the gravest sin of all.