I found this under "Dream Builder" on the English iQiyi app with machine-translated subs, but it's harder to find on the iQiyi site. The first half was pretty riveting, an Inception-style concept of going into dreams. Toward the end, its low budget started to betray it as I've seen with similar shows like this, and a few developments felt a bit like, why? To me, the end game was also too narrow in scope for the last episodes. It's a show that could have done with a second season, but it's still a fascinating watch.
lmangla's review on this is totally right: the leads have such amazing chemistry and their romance completely draws you in. The FL is ok but the ML's acting REALLY sells their romance. Compared to that, any plot holes are forgivable in this relatively short drama. I will caution that the FL (for me) was rather annoying for the first 1.5 episodes before she mellowed out. Toward the end of the first episode, watching the ML obviously start falling for her is so endearing. There's so many little moments in the first 2 eps that are so warming I watched them twice.
The humor is quite silly and even raunchy at times - the first 5 minutes caught me off guard a little. It has a level of exaggeration in the acting I'd expect to find in jdramas/movies that are manga adaptations. Still, it forced quite a few laughs out of me for every cringe, so it's a fun watch.
Neo kept his shirt on the entire 7th episode! Wonders do happen. :p Neo & Miw's timing to arrive in Shin's hotel room, and that whole exchange between the 4 of them was pretty funny. Still, I think this new guy is the one to watch out for betraying Shin, especially since Shin already has let his guard down with him.
Looks like based on the comments this is not even worth the watch. However, as linked below, the translator JoleCole translated the first 3 chapters of the novel and the real epilogue mini-chapters, which will leave you with a sweeter ending. I also found several more chapters of the novel translated by Tumble Into Fantasy, if you search around.
I haven't seen any of the others in this series yet because I picked this just to see Typhoon in a non-evil role after Hua Jai Sila. It's a fascinating, darker storyline and I'm really enjoying it. I got goosebumps every time she reappeared in front of the ML as a different person, so that was well-done. The only annoying thing is the 2nd FL, who gets WAY too much screentime. I get it, she's a cute Korean actress, but it feels like she gets more screentime than the leads! Her scenes are also way too goofy, and it doesn't go with the otherwise serious plot. Was she producing this or something? Some marketing ploy to bring in viewers? I don't recall her being this annoying in Fabulous 30. Anyway, after episode 4 I started skipping her scenes with no regrets.
Relatively sweet drama, after all the early episode angst goes by. I did get a little bored in episodes 10-12, since the secondary plot dominates and feels a bit draggy, as well as the delay of the 2nd couple's story (even though I loved the 2nd couple's chemistry).
This drama came up so many times and is so infamous that I couldn't put off watching it any longer, just to see what the fuss is about. It's definitely a ride! The FL actress though... yeesh. Hawick's acting saved this drama. I heard the FL has improved since this, but her very limited range of expressions is painful to watch, and she's one of those few actresses who always look like they've just smelled poo when they're not smiling.
This was exceptionally well done, tragedy in the purest theater sense. If you want a tortured romance that feels like Sealed with a Kiss or Secret but don't have a lot of time, this is a good choice. The romance is a trainwreck, but I couldn't look away. There's a movie version as well, which is basically the same episodes arranged in sequential order with almost zero flashbacks, so you can decide which version packs the most punch.
I think even with the dynamics, Shin clearly stated that he was gay in the flashback episode (while they were in the gymnasium talking on the floor). He's gay, even if he accepts a kiss or group play. That doesn't invalidate his sexuality.
Continue bc up to ep 29/30 it’s nice, then all the rest is nonsense to me! After those I just skipped to 35…
Thank you! And I just found another comment below saying essentially the same episodes so that must be the magic place! I'll watch until 29ish, then skip to a photo finish
Shows that rely on a simple misunderstanding/lie generally irk me, but I'll see how long I can hold on to this. The male lead is such nice scenery, it'd be a shame to waste that view. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Try watching/reading/listening to the other adaptations too. Each have their own merits.
I tried the manga, but it's ongoing, so I've been reading the novel. Not from Chapter 1, but just select chapters to see how their romance was originally handled. (I found a site with chapter spoilers to know where to jump.) It's so touching! It's so easy to imagine the novel's romantic chapters as cut scenes from the drama. Kind of like having dessert after eating a big meal. :)
This has some elements I love: the possessive ML, the historical era I'm really fascinated with, the costumes, and the fact that nearly everyone on screen is friggin' eye candy, so many beautiful people! But, I've finished 21 episodes so far and I think I'm approaching the cliff of where this might start going downhill based on the comments below, and I'm hesitating because I don't want to ruin my good experience with it thus far. I wish I knew where to skip to see the kiss shown in the opening credits, and then to a happy ending hopefully...
I didn't watch any of the other adaptations (though I'm going to peek at the manga) and towards the end.. wow. The entire series was beautiful, but episodes 47-50 went straight Shakespearean. I didn't see the last 8 things coming, in those last temple episodes. Overall I'd enjoy rewatching my favorite parts of it ( I Iove how Wangji got used to naturally protecting Wei Ying) though it doesn't quite give me the strong withdrawal feelings that Guardian did. At the end where Wei Ying heard his name and stopped playing his flute... I hoping that was Wangji coming back and deciding to stay, right? That's what I hoping!
Chinese description: http://www.iqiyi.com/lib/m_210930214.html