The premise started promising of an ordinary girl capturing the attention of the CEO of a very large corporation. However, the story arcs became repetitive, the damsel in distress became less endearing and the expressionless CEO became less attractive. As the story wore on, it reminded me of "It Started With A Kiss," a story which I find very annoying: a seemingly useless girl and an all-talented boy. The leads from this drama also looks and feels eerily similar to the leads in ISWAK. The conflicts in the drama also come across as lackluster. I find the side characters, such as the friends of the main couple, more endearing.
I would have given it a 💯 if it were not for the lackluster 2nd pairing. There is no chemistry between Bii and Katie Chen despite being easy on the eyes. The story is not as airtight as other melodramas but this is meant to be romantic fluff and we should treat it as such. Having said that, I cannot get enough of the lead characters and they served up quite a good amount of skinship, some are uber hot and some ultra sweet that you would need to have a quick shower before going to the dentist. Megan Lai, who I found annoying in other older dramas, convincingly plays a pretty man. Baron Chen's hair meanwhile becomes a third wheel. This drama turned on my fangirling mode I have thought long dormant.
You know how sometimes people say, "It's so bad that it's good"? Well, they maybe talking about this drama. Despite being low-budget, this is by far the funniest Chinese drama I have ever watched. It's super campy and fun and downright hilarious. This is one drama were bad acting is sometimes welcome.
A good who-done-it drama. The cat and mouse chase between the criminal profiler and his stalker was intriguing. The only drawback is that the show was too clever for its own good that sometimes you have to try and keep up. The romance between the socially-awkward professor and his assistant was endearing. The Professor's bestfriend is also a lovable character, but others not so much. Bad acting from the non-Chinese actors and the end seemed rushed with loose ends untied, and spent on unnecessary pairings.
Shortly coming on the heels of watching Killer and Healer, this drama probably did not meet my expectations. If I had watched this first, since it was released prior K&H, it could be a different story, but I did not. For this drama, the eye-candy did help, because it is probably the main reason why I finished this show the other being curiosity. The drama tried to pass off as an intricate who-done-it, but it ended up convoluting the story. There are glaring plot holes and illogical set-ups (not sure if the drama's fault or the way the book was written). The show tried to also incorporate some romance but fails due to the stalky FML.
I love the juxtaposition of the real world and game world and how the characters act in either of them. Yang Yang is a dreamboat and the other characters are mostly easy on the eyes. I also love the brewing bromance between KO and Hao Mei. Watch it for all the elements: plot, characters, costumes, scenery, pacing, romance...and it will not disappoint. Only downside is the lackluster kissing skills of female lead but Yang Yang could kiss a tree and it will still look hot.
This sprawling historical saga spanning thousands of years, is rich and luscious in its story-telling. The war, the love, the tribulations among the immortals and mortals are depicted with detail. Characters and plot are not one-dimensional. Most of them are easy on the eyes, even the villains. It would have been a 10 for me if it weren't for the female characters in the story, being given less redeeming qualities than their male counterparts. The female characters (even the good ones) are shown as duplicitous at worst, and unreasonably obstinate at best. While the male characters come across as the more forgiving, and more understanding partners. It was nice to see role reversals even at that time - the man cooking for the woman even if he was the crown prince, but this does not negate the fact that the women were given a harsher brush stroke. Bonus: if you don't even like the story, Mark Chao's acting is worth the 58 episode watch.
The characters are fun and loveable, especially the female lead. The story is a reverse ugly duckling where a beautiful and rich girl pretends to be an ugly and poor one who manages to capture the heart of the prince with her disguise. Overall a light and fun romcom that is enjoyable to watch., except for the annoying girl who doesn't know when to quit and then gets on my nerves.
The first half started out strong. I liked a lot of the characters (both main and supporting), then the FL Jin Mi started grating on my nerves. She blames all her actions on others despite apologizing for them and people keep making excuses for her. If she weren't the main FL, she would probably be the same as the villainous 2nd FL. It just depends on perspective. Surprisingly, I liked the good-turned-bad, illegitimate-prince-turned-heavenly-emperor the most. Run Yu is a very complex character and Luo Yun Xi delivers as the long-suffering, eldest brother who was always expected to do the right thing yet his step mother keeps assuming the worse of him. He's like Cinderella, if Cinderella were to exact revenge on those who hurt them. We can't all be perfect. I thought this drama would equal or even surpass TMOPB/EL but it suffered from being too ambitious on the back end of the story and it is no fault of the cast because most of them are amazing.
The first two episodes were cringey for me as I dislike women chasing men so blatantly, and especially I wasn't sold on the female character looking awkward at the same time. The drama progressed better after the first few episodes then the characters, especially the male ones became more endearing. It's a heartwarming story about chasing your dreams, sacrifices, friendship and family.
It's a sweet story about two lovers who reunited after almost 10 years of being separated due to different circumstances. The drama has their moments, and its heartwarming, but I'm only invested in the main couple's story-line. It's very slow pacing prevented me from enjoying the drama as I felt this could have 10 episodes less and would still manage to convey the crux of the story. I was more invested in the book that this drama is based on, about the true story of the author and her husband.
Light and fluffy romantic story that finally has its leads not at polar opposites. Hate those stories about most popular, handsome, smartest guy falling for the dumbest, weakest girl in school (I blame you ISWAK!) They got one end of the spectrum, with a genius but socially awkward scientist paired with a girl who has some brains on her head. No desperate clinginess from the female character which is a bonus. Although, the second couple annoys me, because they "settled" into the relationship after being rejected by their love interests. Otherwise, cute drama.
I can't say enough how much I love this drama. I just wish it was longer! Started out confusing because of so many characters, and the CGI could be better but the story trumps all of the flaws the drama could have. Its very meaty as it has everything: romance, revenge, family, tragedy, friendship, politics, melodrama, comedy, all the genres you can think of, this one has it. This drama kept me at the edge of my seat and the fighting scenes and cinematography were magnificent. The romantic subtext between the two male leads was palpable as the actors were able to portray their emotions through tonal nuances and facial expressions. The rest of the cast, even the secondary ones have the acting chops to support the drama.
I like the Male Lead character quite a lot, despite that he is not my usual cup of tea. Lin Yu Shen portrays the stiff, rigid businessman quite adorably. The banter that ensues between the FL & ML are engaging and their antics humorous. The secondary characters however, seem over-the-top for me and as comedic relief, failed on their end. If you are a foodie, this may be a good show to watch.
Gender-bender drama that is very tropey. Only watched it out of curiosity, pretty engaging only because of Darren Chen who is easy on the eyes. FL is better suited as a boy than as a girl. You have to suspend your disbelief for this drama in order to enjoy it. A guilty pleasure watch only if you have the time.
I was glad I gave this tropey drama a chance, as I'm not into ISWAK vibes (cold but smart man, warm but clueless woman). But their story was too sweet (without being too saccharine) to pass up. Miles Wei does justice to his character, an upright, socially-awkward and emotionally-stunted university professor. And so hot too boot! Xu Ruo Han manages to portray the naïve, "unfortunate" student without pissing me off, by being too whiney or clingey as other "dumb FLs" ought to come across. Together, they make an adorable couple who navigates through their contractual marriage and growing feelings for each other. Their marriage of convenience is mostly due in part of the ML's grandfather (a great supporting character!) whose dying wish is to see his grandson happily married, and circumstances led to Yun Shu as the chosen wife. Other supporting characters are also well-fleshed out, including the secondary coupling of the ML's Best friend and FL's sister. The love rivals in this drama weren't hateful and even the "villain" of the story (FL's cousin) served as a catalyst to bring the two MCs together. All in all a cute Rom-com that includes steamy kisses.
I was interested at first until the actions of the FL towards the second half of the drama irked me. Her self-righteousness became overbearing, and I don't think it's the fault of the actress. Just the way the characters are written are mostly one-dimensional, particularly the side characters. Towards the end I have very little love left to what could have been a good drama. Loose ends are forcibly tied and I didn't like the way how the "bad" characters ended up getting redemption, and some even receiving praise for the necessity of them being mean. I guess I should be more forgiving and carry with the thought that there are no bad people, just bad decisions made by people, but somehow this didn't fly with me in this drama.
This is the second drama I've seen of Rosy Zhao; her popularity as a young and up-coming actress is solidified by her acting prowess. She fits the bill of the female character who can be quirky and serious at the same time. Ryan Ding tries his best to catch up with the female lead and plays the love-lorn villain-turned hero decently enough. I like the well-roundedness and multi-dimensional characters in the drama, despite some of the show's plot holes that try to pin them down. Not sure what I need to say more about this drama, except that it is a delight to watch and I am excited to see the sequel if it is the same cast. Hopefully, this time set in the modern era.
2 
I was more invested in the book that this drama is based on, about the true story of the author and her husband.
Not sure what I need to say more about this drama, except that it is a delight to watch and I am excited to see the sequel if it is the same cast. Hopefully, this time set in the modern era.