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Finally a drama and role for a more mature and experienced Xu Kai

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Wonderland of Love” features two intelligent leads who always try to outsmart each other. That should be a pretty attractive premise to attract a wide audience. However, it doesn’t seem to be as popular as “The Story of Kunning Palace” which was broadcasted at about the same time. I guess a vampire gege is more attractive than a war hero Mr. Green flag. LOL There are many things I liked about this drama, but I do agree with many reviewers that the last arc wasn’t quite as exciting.


What I Like:

1. Xu Kai - I’m so glad I finally get to see Xu Kai in another drama worthy of his popularity and star power. His last few projects have been duds. I have liked him best as the more animated lead in “Arsenal Military Academy” and also his more subtle emotional acting in “Ancient Love Poetry”. But here in “Wonderland of Love”, I see the best of both worlds. I am thankful that he’s not another emotionless cold-on-the-outside character, but one that is mature and gives him the ability to showcase his acting range. If you are a Xu Kai fan, this is a must-watch.

2. Li Ni (ML) - Li Ni is a historical Mr. Green flag. He’s loyal, respectful, communicative, honest, courageous, selfless, can fight, can scheme (but not wicked and cunning). He’s a good son, a good brother, a good comrade, a good lover. He’s almost Mr. Perfect. His one flaw (if you can call it a flaw), is that he’s so in love with A Ying (FL) that it might have clouded his judgment and conceding to A Ying. He just can’t say No. But, as a romance-lover, he’s the perfect boyfriend.

3. Cui Lin/A Ying (FL) - On paper as a female character in a historical war and political drama, it’s nice to see a smart female lead who can fight and can think. She is as smart as Li Ni, and sometimes actually outsmarts him. She is independent, stubborn, and loyal to the Cui Army. She also has strong beliefs in bringing peace to all.

4. Fight and Battle Choreography - First of all, I am going to criticize the occasional slow-motion fights, and spinning/twirling to create a romantic effect. Having said that, “Wonderland of Love” has some of the more impressive fight choreography for close-combat fight and war/battle scenes. The drama started off with the leads fighting each other. There are a few sword fighting scenes throughout the drama that are pretty good, especially when this is a historical, political drama, and not a wuxia/xianxia drama. As other reviewers mentioned, the battle in episode 30 was well shot and hardcore. It was a bloody battle and many died in different ways. When the Laolan song is played, it breaks my heart. There are only a few other dramas (e.g. The Rebel Princess and Love Like the Galaxy) that I can think of with similar impressive battle scenes.

5. OST - There are several songs in the soundtrack and they all sound lovely and complementary to the scenes.

6. Acting - Xu Kai and Jian Tian both acted well and did not disappoint. The veteran supporting cast definitely outshines the younger supporting cast. I don’t think the younger cast is horrible, but no one shines through either.

7. Ending - No rush ending, in a way. The last episode is dedicated to show how everyone’s doing.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Lead Romance - As I mentioned, I like Xu Kai and Jiang Tian’s acting. But for whatever reason, I am not feeling their chemistry as a couple, especially during the cute and fluffy scenes. I can’t get it out of my head that Jiang Tian is 7 years older than Xu Kai. I don’t feel this way when Jiang Tian is paired up with Timmy Xu or Vin Zhan. It’s probably because Xu Kai has somewhat of a baby face. I don’t think this is supposed to be an older sis/younger bro romance either. A Ying is a strong female lead, but not necessarily an easy-to-like female lead in a romance. There are plenty of kisses in the drama, yet none of them seems passionate to me. I also think the directing of the kisses is a little off. But if you look at the romance objectively, it’s a good one. They are both smart, have the same goal in mind, courageous and for the most part when there are issues, they communicate with each other. They might not take the same road to achieve their goals and disagree on principle, but they understand each other’s circumstances. I love their love letter correspondence during war time. All the good elements of a great romance, but I am just not feeling it.

2. Secondary Romance - I don’t particularly like or dislike it. It’s like every other secondary romance in many dramas. They’re cute and all, but don’t add much to the drama itself. I much rather learn more of Consort Xiao and the General love story.

3. Liu Cheng Feng (2ML) - I don’t believe his love and obsession for FL justify his actions. The way he seeks revenge seems way over-the-top when it comes to a country’s safety. I pity him when he was weak and then I just didn't care for him much when he turned to the dark side.

4. Final Arc (last 9 episodes) - I have to agree with others that the last arc of the drama isn’t written well. This part of the drama was draggy and anti-climatic after the big battle in episode 30. All that could be told in half the time. With the initial cold war between the leads, I find it somewhat annoying that our supposedly smart FL hasn’t thought of the consequence of the Cui army when she tried to push ML to be the crown prince. She should have calculated all of that politics, and not been surprised by the king’s decision to disband them. We wasted a couple episodes on this cold war. The villain tried to scheme and set up the general as a traitor. It was brought up without much info, and was resolved without much fanfare either. I thought it would be some elaborate plan but in the end it was just he said she said. The invasion was done half-heartedly. These foreigners were used by others for most of the drama. And when it came down to business, they were taken out easily and anti-climatically.

5. Production Quality - I don’t believe this is a big budget production. The green screen used during the leads’ horseback riding was hilariously fake. The wonderland scenery also seems fake to me. The set design, costumes and props seem OK. I am disappointed that almost everyone is dubbed. I find the dubbed voice for A Ying doesn’t quite match the face of Jiang Tian. And what is up with the pale faces of Xu Kai and Jiang Tian when they are soldiers, living under the sun and dust all the time. I think they could have darkened their skin tone a little. They definitely look too white, clean and pretty to be general/commander.

6. The King - He’s annoying as heck! I know he’s not the smartest cookie, but I can’t believe we need to tolerate his dumbness and ignorance for 40 episodes.


Overall, this is a decent drama to watch. I will recommend this if you are a fan of Xu Kai and Jiang Tan. I am rounding my rating up for Xu Kai, as I think this is his best role yet. I realize my criticisms are very personal and somewhat petty. LOL.


Other Random Observations:
1. The band of brothers are fun but way too loud.
2. I love the scene of the grass dragonflies when ML was sad.
3. I am glad Gu Wang Niang is not the typical evil 2FL. She technically didn’t do anything too evil, but this actress portrayed the character so well that I really dislike her! She gives off this cunning aura, without doing anything evil. Is it good acting?


Completed: 12/17/2023 - Review #383

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A Gentler, Sweeter and More Romantic Remake

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Stay with Me” is like the gentler, sweeter and more romantic little brother of “Addicted”. “Addicted” is the more rebellious, sex-crazed older brother, but it also paved the way for many future Chinese BLs (or caused censorship to put the hammer down).

The leads in “Stay with Me” are quite likable compared to their counterparts in the other drama. Wu Bi is quite adorable when he’s so in love with Su Yu and gets all pettily jealous over little things. In “Addicted”, Gu Hai annoyed the heck out of me with how pushy he was. But that was a 2016 drama, and times have changed. Back to “Stay with Me”, the drama never had Wu Bi or Su Yu declare their love for each other, but you know for a fact that this is not a bromance, but a romantic story between them. There are so many moments, gestures, hugs and subtle lingering touches that they shared and I wonder how these scenes pass censorship. I am trying to recall if I’ve seen a Chinese BL with kisses on the cheeks recently.

The main focus of the drama is definitely on our leads, Wu Bi and Su Yu. Two lovely teenagers go from enemies to lovers, complete and fill each other’s hearts with love and care. Surrounding them are Su Yu’s very supportive father and stepmother, an adorable little stepsister, Duo Duo, who is wise beyond her years. We also have a few friends who don’t take up too much screen time. Technically, there isn’t really a character that I dislike, except for Wu Bi’s cousin’s ugly pig tail. That is definitely not fashionable at all. LOL.

The bond between this newly found family is the best part of the show. None of the parents are evil, they just show their love differently. However, the broken families have a big impact on the leads. They both just want to be loved. Simple as that. I love it when there are scenes of the new family together and the theme song, “The Meaning of Family” starts playing. The lyrics are perfect for these scenes, especially when Duo Duo starts singing if you need to look similar or have the same last names to be called family. The scene of this new family celebrating Wu Bi’s birthday is so heartwarming.

This drama is not without its faults. I think the acting of the leads could be better. I am also disappointed that they are both dubbed and not using their original voices. Heck, even Duo Duo uses her original voice and that adds 10000 points to her adorableness. There are a couple scenes with very fake green screens. There are only four songs in the OST and it lacks variety, though they are lovely. This is definitely not a big budget production, so maybe that’s why I am having all these minor disappointments.

Overall, I had a good time binge-watching this drama. The pacing is not bad but the ending might not be satisfactory to all. I knew what kind of ending it had before starting this. I am prepared, still not happy though 🙂


Completed: 11/3/2023 - Review #372

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A Docu-Drama? Recommend for those interested in Chinese arts/crafts/culture

“Hi Producer” is a very unique drama. It’s more of a documentary showcasing China’s rich culture and arts, than a regular drama. It tries to promote and educate via the production of a TV show and a very interesting female lead, Yu Zai Zao. Due to her disability, YZZ is unable to understand certain emotions. However, it doesn’t prevent her from coming up with creative ideas for this TV show. By working closely with the team and building a bond with everyone, she has slowly changed to be a different and better person.

If you are interested in learning about China’s thousands of years of culture, this is definitely a show for you. It showcases more than just arts and crafts. It also tries to spotlight the loneliness, challenges, and passing on the traditions to successors - willing, unwilling and overlooked successors. At times, the information comes to me like big ocean waves that it took me a while to digest what I just heard. There’s a LOT of history talk. I also really like the sentimental storytelling of the people behind such beautiful craft. The drama also pays respects to the real experts of each field by inviting them to share their real life experience during the epilogue of each episode.

Despite liking all the characters in the drama, the plot is somewhat thin. I feel that the drama is too long at 35 episodes, and with each introduction of a tradition (about 2 episodes per tradition), the stories become repetitive. I lost focus in the middle of the drama and thought about giving up. I wish it had cut down 5 or so episodes, and spent a little more time on the depth of each character of the TV show. The female lead is one of the most interesting characters. She’s adorable but also straightforward and rude. She’s fun but manipulative. When you start to pity her, she turns around and fools you with her intelligence. If you are looking for romance, then you will be disappointed. There are feelings, but no romantic stories between characters.

I would only recommend this drama if you are looking for a docu-drama and really are interested in learning about Chinese culture. If you are looking for a regular drama with an exciting or unique plot, or a romance story, then this might not be for you.


Other Random Observations:
1. I love the “I Won” doll and gift. Hilarious!
2. Something seems to be off with the styling of Zhang Bo (Professor Tao Tang). He’s only a few years older than Zheng Kai (CEO Gu) but looks so much older.
3. My first time watching Zhang Nan and she impressed me. Her portrayal of Yu Zai Zao is so funny and on point.
4. Not too many songs in the OST, but I enjoy the opening and ending theme songs. They fit the general feel of the drama.
5. It’s amazing how many actors/actresses the drama invites for special appearances.
6. I was mesmerized by all the dances in this drama. That actress is such an amazing dancer.


Completed: 10/21/2023 - Review #368

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Love at First Fart - I can't believe I am rating a Slapstick Comedy a 9.0

Never in a million years would I have thought that I would one day rate a slapstick comedy a 9.0 rating. I am someone who doesn’t like over-the-top comedies and usually avoid slapsticks. This drama is still not for everyone, however, the stars are aligned for me to enjoy it.

The Aligned Stars ★★★
1. I am in NEED and in the MOOD for a comedy. Just something fun and light-hearted.
2. I set my expectations. I know coming into this that this is slapstick with ridiculous bathroom and second-hand embarrassment humor. I wasn’t prepared when I watched “Euchalala Waikiki” and ended up dropping it.
3. Surprisingly, there’s a stronger focus on romance than I anticipated. I thought this was the slapstick version of “Good Manager” with zero to slight romance. I was pleasantly surprised.

Given these three factors, I had an AMAZING time binge-watching “Gaus Electronics”. I bet all the actors must have such a great time shooting this drama. I wonder how they could keep a straight face and not laugh every single minute of shooting this.

I do want to acknowledge the fact that a lot of the fun was built upon our male lead’s incompetence, clumsiness and misery. If you don’t like bullying in any form (funny or serious), stay away from this drama. These factors might turn a lot of people off. But I switched my brain off and went for the ride.

This is just a very funny drama. The comedy starts from the first episode all the way to the last. The pacing is great and there are so many things going on to keep me engaged throughout. We have enemies-to-lovers romance, unrequited love, rich chaebol trying not to mooch off of his family’s fortune, company politics/stress, and different kinds of relationships. I was pleasantly surprised how moved I was in the last couple episodes regarding the main romance. Acting is flawless and everyone is so well-casted. I really don’t have any major criticism of this drama.

If you are like me and in the same circumstances with the stars aligned, I strongly recommend this drama to you. But if you don’t like over-the-top acting, second-hand embarrassment, and making fun of workplace bullying, then it’s best to stay far, far away.


Other Random Observations:
1. How many managers do you really need for a small marketing team?
2. The references of other K-dramas was fun. It was also fun guessing the famous lines.
3. Yes, that gelled up hair still bothers me to the end.

Completed: 10/8/2023 - Review #365

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When you are away from home, your Sisters are all that you have.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

Stumbled upon “Sisterhood”, probably saw someone posted on the Feeds. It’s not an idol drama and the plot is probably not too enticing to many watchers. But I wanted to watch something different, and was glad to give this a shot.

This is an underrated drama about the “Sisterhood” of the Red Scarves ladies, who moved from Sam Sui (China) to Singapore for work. Not many dramas focus on the stories of women moving away from home. The drama focuses on the life and challenges of these Red Scarves ladies, and their career first in the construction industry and then branching out to others.

We follow Ou Yang Tian Qing (FL) through her career as someone fresh-off-the-boat to becoming the team leader of the Red Scarves ladies. Tian Qin is easy to root for but can also seem a little too ‘can do no wrong’. I enjoy her journey of growth and how she works closely with those she met in Singapore, especially her benefactress, Nan Lan. However, at times her words of wisdom and encouragement can seem a little preachy to me.

Romance is a side plot but enough to keep the romance lover in me satisfied but not wow me. I did not fall in love with male lead, Kuang Hai Sheng, immediately as he seems a little stalkerish in the beginning episodes. But he grows on me and I’ve grown to really like his character. He’s caring, sweet and supportive of Tian Qing’s career. Verbally, he might tease Tian Qing a lot, but deep down he was never pushy with his feelings. I wish the secondary romance didn’t happen but it’s also to-be-expected. 2ML fell in love again rather quickly.

The pacing of this drama is good. There are enough mini-climaxes throughout the drama to keep me interested in all 40 episodes. At times, I am a little confused about how much time has passed. A lot could have happened on screen and then I realized only a day or two went by.

Acting is good all around, including the supporting cast. Veteran actresses Yue Li Na (Nan Lan/benefactress), Xu Fan Xi (2nd Madam Lu), Xie Cheng Ying (Miss Qi) and Zhang Xi Wen (Sister Ling) are all amazing and shine brighter than the younger ones. There are also enough irritating characters in this drama that I want to strangle. I had to fast-forward some of their scenes. I think the one I dislike the most is the 2FL, He Xiao Chan (FL’s best friend). I dislike FL’s mother as well. I actually don’t dislike the villain as much as those two.

What I hate the most is the HORRIBLE English spoken by so-called foreigners and native English speakers, except for Police Chief Hunter. There are quite a few English dialogues and each time I hear the English spoken, my ears bleed.

Overall, I had a good time watching this drama. It’s something different for me personally. I would recommend this if you enjoy stories of women empowerment and sisterhood.



Completed: 7/11/2023 - Review #333

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Short and Simple Healing and Slice-of-Life Drama about Forgiveness

“Finland Papa” is a short (6 episodes/30 minutes long) healing, slice-of-life drama. Four individuals who have suffered through life’s challenges and loneliness found their way to work at this cafe owned by a mysterious Papa. They are instructed to become a fake (but found) family and learn to support each other in resolving their own inner struggles. I love them hula dancing together! There’s a central theme of forgiveness - to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.

Because the drama is so short, we only get to know the bullet-point version of each character’s background story and their own arc, with the exception of female lead Yoo Ri. She suffered the loss of her father and her grandmother, and had to learn to live alone. Not only that, there are many unresolved emotions towards her father and his death. She has to learn to forgive and let go, and it took her a while to get to that point. We all know it’s hard to sincerely apologize but it’s just as (if not, more difficult) to forgive someone and move on.

I was impressed with Kim Bo Ra’s acting as the female lead. I’ve always seen her as the annoying high schooler, or irritating supporting character that causes trouble. I almost didn’t watch “Finland Papa” because of her, but I wanted to see male lead, Kim Woo Seok (he’s adorable!). I’m glad Kim Bo Ra took this role and showed a more mature side of her. Her character has to go through the happy-go-lucky high school phase, and move into the lonely, healing phase.

If you are in the mood for a simple, healing drama, this is it. There’s really nothing exciting or surprising. The plot is quite predictable but this could be just what you need as well.


Completed: 5/16/2023 - Review #308

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A Familiar Yet Unfamiliar XianXia Drama

When comedy is injected into a xianxia drama appropriately and smartly, a very unique and fresh drama is born. “The Starry Love” seems familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. The general plot is nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve seen this before: brides switch, someone needs to be a hero to save the world, the Heavenly King as a hypocrite, and everyone from the Demon World is a bad guy.

But what sets this drama apart, and why so many viewers are watching “The Starry Love” is the humor in all this. The drama doesn’t hesitate to poke fun at some common tropes, and have the characters act silly here and there. Because of the overwhelming praise of the comedy, I was initially worried that it might be a little too over-the-top for my taste. Rest assured, it’s not. Funny moments hit you at the right place, at the right time, and unexpectedly. Then it switches gears to other more romantic or serious moments seamlessly. It’s a good mix to keep you hooked right from the first episode. Comedic moments did die down towards the last quarter of the drama when the more serious plot and angst took center stage, and it really wouldn’t be appropriate to be funny here.

I’ve been a fan of Landy Li since I first saw her in “My Huckleberry Friends” and she has improved so much. She along with her co-star and sister He Xuan Lin are the stars of the show. The two female characters, though seem different at first glance, are both smart, caring, loyal and stubborn. I am so glad we have an awesome sisterhood in a xianxia drama, and especially happy to NOT see another naive/innocent girl. The two male actors also did a fabulous job. Chen Xing Xu basically plays 5 different characters. This is my first Luke Chen drama, and though he’s the least experienced out of the main leads, he was able to keep up with the other three. The supporting cast was fine. Although the veterans stood out a little more than the younger cast, I wouldn’t say they’re extraordinary.

For 40 episodes, the pacing is pretty good. There’s enough going on to keep me interested. I like all the strong friendships, bromance and sismance. I don’t think I dislike any character in this drama, and that’s rare as I usually hate one or two annoying supporting characters in a xianxia drama. Even the minor female character who won’t stop annoying ML didn’t irritate me that much. As unique as the first ¾ of the drama is, the last ¼ seems quite predictable. Many are disappointed with the ending. I am not overly disappointed, I am just not surprised as I’ve seen enough dramas to know this could be how it ends. But I understand after witnessing the hardships our leads have gone through, the ending could be dissatisfactory. Because the drama was so unique for the most part, I wish there was a more creative ending.

The pretty CGI sceneries are hard to miss. It evokes a similar reaction from me when I was watching “Love Between Fairy and Devil” back then. There are many scenes that are gorgeous, but the more I see them, the more I think they look fake to me. However, I really enjoy the starry nights and the CGI use of magic and fight scenes. The fight scenes themself are just average to me. Despite the inconsistent CGI, I really like all the costumes, hairstyles, and makeup. The two female leads look beautiful in their colorful costumes. Luke Chen (Chao Feng) looks absolutely handsome and smoking hot in his black attire. I personally think Chen Xing Xu looks better in a modern drama such as “Fall in Love” but I appreciate the different looks he’s in as You Qin, La Mu, Mei You Qing and Wen Ren. I am not sure if this is a big budget production or not, but I find the post-production dubbing to be below-average to average at best. Most of the actors/actresses use their own voices and I appreciate it, but the syncing is off sometimes when the lips are not matching the lips. There’s no live recording at all. On the other hand, the OST is great, despite being too repetitive for most of the drama (maybe a few more songs can help). It might not beat the OST of "Ashes of Love" but each song complements the mood and scenes of the drama appropriately.

This is a really fun drama with good pacing. It’s light-hearted and very romance-focused. I don’t think there’s anything I REALLY dislike about this drama (just mixed feelings). That’s always a good thing in my book. For that, I am giving this a solid 8.5.


Completed: 3/12/2022

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Love the main romance but the rest of the storylines are underdeveloped.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

I have no expectation coming into this and not really sure why I want to watch it. LOL. Perhaps because I’ve always had a pretty good experience with Taiwanese BLs and I am always on the lookout for BL dramas in non-school settings. This one fits the bill and I have a surprisingly enjoyable time watching.

Firstly, I enjoy following along the romantic journey of our two male leads. I was somewhat surprised at how flirty Jin Xun An is after the initial introduction of his character. But after knowing his first love story, I understand why he had to change his strategy. Bai Lang is a lovely and adorable character. Their romance is cute and sweet. I love every single moment that they had before they officially got together. I love how mature Jin Xun An is and really gives Bai Lang time to recognize his feelings. I am glad Jin Xun An made Bai Lang wait and work for his love. Both characters are complex with interesting stories. I just wish the drama would go more in detail about how Bai Lang overcomes his trauma, and not just saying how Jin Xun An would support him. I want to see more actions than words, not that the supportive words are not important. On the other hand, the drama didn’t really give us much information on Jin Xun An’s family. I see where he’s coming from and wanting to give Bai Lang a real family, but the situation at home came at a surprise without any forewarning.

RJ and Alex’s story is cute as well, but the drama doesn’t give them enough screen time to fully develop. I thought RJ’s family situation would have a bigger impact but then it sort of disappeared. Instead, the drama wastes time on BigA and Chi Ren Min. It’s a half-ass romance that is insignificant and doesn’t contribute anything to the general plot. Additionally, I also don’t like how they have to give Bai Qing a partner in the end as well (especially not that guy!). Not everyone needs to be paired up, and the drama should have spent the time to develop the other two romance storylines.

This is not a perfect drama but the romance moves me and I love every minute of it. Thus, I can overlook its flaws in other areas and give this an 8.25 rating.


Completed; 1/30/2023

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Cute and Fluffy romance, but too much going on for a short drama

"Destined to Meet You" is a short drama with a very complicated plot. With only 20 episodes at 10 mins each (about 3 hrs runtime), it tries to cover too many tropes. - love at first sight, contract relationship, tragic past, amnesia, fight for inheritance and more.

If the drama sticks to 2-3 of these tropes, the story would have developed more coherently and there would be fewer plot holes. But if you don't want to think too much and just want to enjoy a sweet romance, this is a good watch. The chemistry between the leads is pretty good, and the acting is decent. I have always liked Yang Ze and would like to see him in fewer web short dramas like this or "The Killer is also Romantic" but in bigger productions like in "No Boundary".

I have a hard time with the dubbed voices and find the FL's voice slightly annoying in the beginning. Nonetheless, their interaction is cute. It's nice to see a girl taking the initiative in a relationship. I thought she would be a little more experienced in love since she's 5 years older, but she acts like she doesn't know much in the beginning. Their relationship progresses well throughout the drama. The secondary couple is OK to me. A few comedic moments of 2FL's clumsiness but not much depth to their storyline.

Overall, it's a quick and easy watch to kill time, and I like the songs.


Completed: 1/18/2023

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Perfect for Romance Lovers - Cute, Fluffy and Low-Stress

“Hi Venus” is the perfect low-stress romantic comedy. If you want to de-stress like me, I recommend this sweet and fluffy drama to satisfy your inner romance cravings There’s no angst, no evil ex-girlfriend, no overprotective or over-demanding parents, and no misunderstanding. It’s not perfect, but it’s the perfect remedy to lift up your spirits.

Plot - Even though the drama’s main setting is at a hospital, this is not a medical drama at all. You rarely see doctors in action and even though there are some hospital politics, they do not dampen your rom-com pleasure. This could be a good or a bad thing, as you might find the plot to be on the lighter side and lacks substance. Romance takes center stage and primarily about the romance between Ye Shi Lan, a pediatrician who was sent to a remote clinic, and Lu Zhao Xi, newly appointed HospitalPresident.

Main Romance - Romance between Lu Zhao Xi and Ye Shi Lan develops nicely and with good pacing. We start off with a typical misunderstanding, then they become good friends and eventually fall in love. There are plenty of cute and fluffy scenes, hugs and decent kisses. I love the “Does he/she like me” part of the plot before the leads get together. I also enjoy the honest conversation they have as friends, and continue on as lovers. Two individuals brought up very differently and have very different life experiences. They learn from each other, esp. FL who opens up her heart and becomes a happier person. As much as I enjoy their honest conversations about ideals, life and experiences, a small part of me thinks it might be a little too ‘preachy’. I also miss the spunkiness that FL displayed in earlier episodes. Nevertheless, this is a drama with enough scenes of the leads together and not just resorting to the last few minutes of the drama.

Secondary Romance - Another cute and adorable couple in their own way. They did not take up too much of the screen time, but enough for me to care about their love story. Not a whole lot of PDA for this couple, but I don’t think it’s needed.

Other Characters/Relationships - it’s quite rare to find almost everyone likable. There are a few ‘villains’ but they are not overbearing. It’s also rare to find a C-drama without mean and demanding parents. I love the relationship between ML and his mother. They are like best friends. I also like the boss/subordinate relationship between ML and his Secretary Lin. The deadpan comments and love advice Secretary Lin gave to ML are funny and they have an interesting dynamic. FL and her best friend Yao Jia Jia also have a great sismance going on. I was expecting a little more from FL’s ex-boyfriend and that he might play a bigger role, but that’s not the case.

OST - There are 3 main songs in this drama and they are decent. I do think they are overplayed a bit. There are some funny sound effects to complement many comedic moments. However, I also feel that these sound effects can seem somewhat manipulative in forcing me to feel a certain way.

Overall, if you are looking for a cute, fluffy and low-stress romantic comedy, I strongly recommend this drama. We have a good main romance with honest and open communication. There is no annoying character. But if you are looking for something with a more interesting plot that’s not as romance-focused, you might be disappointed. I needed a drama like this, and had a very enjoyable time binge-watching. 24 episodes is a perfect length for a drama like this.


Completed: 1/10/2023

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The Hopes and Dreams of those who Dedicate their Lives to their Sports.

Directed by famed Hong Kong Director Peter Chan and led by experienced powerhouses Gong Li (Coach Lang Ping), Huang Bo (Coach Cheng Zhong He) and Wu Gang (Coach Yuan Wei Min), “Leap” details the rise and fall and the rise again of China’s Women Volleyball team. This movie is well-produced and beautifully performed by not just these actors, but a younger supporting cast and a few of the professional athletes and Olympians themselves.

Growing up, I was a fan of the 1980s China Women’s Volleyball team and watched many of these matches on TV with my family. I don’t watch them anymore but “Leap” brought back many memories and might have re-ignited my passion again. The high rating of this movie is very subjective but I also believe it's an amazing movie as well.

Even though the movie is about China’s Women Volleyball team and star player and coach, Lang Ping, one could argue this could be a story about any country, any sport and any athlete. The hard work, sacrifice and dedication portrayed here can be reflected in any professional athlete’s journey. What's different was China’s closed door policy for so many years. When they reopened, they had a lot of catch up to do. The rise of the volleyball team gave China hope that they could be as good as the rest of the world. There’s a quote towards the end of the drama by Coach Lang Ping about why China places so much importance on winning these matches. Look out for that quote.

The movie clocked in at about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but the pace is good and with no drag. “Leap” is full of emotions, excitement, plus quiet and deep conversations between two old friends, Lang Ping and Cheng Zhong He, supporting and encouraging each other. The use of music is excellent in conveying different emotions of the scenes. There is the usual cheering and exciting music at sporting events, but I was especially impressed when they used a violin score for one of the championship matches. The silence at the end of the biggest match let viewers soak in what just happened on their own, while watching quiet scenes of people cheering and celebrating. The ending theme, "River of Life" (生命之河), sung by Faye Wong and Na Ying is beautiful.

As I haven’t been following the sport in years, I did not know the outcome of the 2016 Rio Olympics. All the matches were exciting and it was great to see athletes participate in the movie and act as themselves. Their involvement contributes to the authenticity of the movie, and it must be a well-written movie for athletes to be willing to join in on the fun. According to Wikipedia, 10 out of 12 athletes from the China 2016 Rio Olympics squad appeared as themselves. The cast also includes players and coaches from Japan, USA, Thailand, Brazil, etc.

My favorite scene is the last scene. I don’t want to spoil the fun, but it involves a phone call made by Lang Ping to Cheng Zhong He. It’s the perfect ending and a perfect description of their friendship, hopes and dreams.


Completed: 12/10/2022

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An easy and funny watch - a series of second-hand embarrassment

Completed - 9/22/2022

“Review Notebook of My Embarrassing Days” is an-hour long drama special about some embarrassing events and memories of our female lead. As she runs into her first love again, more embarrassing moments are created while she navigates between her ex-husband and first love.

This is a light and funny watch. All the actors are experienced and they portray their characters pretty well. I was interested in learning about FL’s experience as an exam writer. I never knew there’s such an arduous process to come up with exam questions for students, and that these teachers have to go through a lockdown training camp for it! There’s some math talk which goes over my head and I just ignore it. LOL

The love triangle is front and center in this drama special. It’s funny and heartwarming at the same time. Although there isn’t much skinship, the chemistry between FL and her first love is great. There are no plot twists but just a simple and comfortable romance.

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Good intro to those new to esports but will be disappointing to veteran watchers

Completed: 9/16/2022 - 7.75 rating

“Out With a Bang” is the latest esports drama that is a shorter, lighter-hearted production with a smaller budget and a not as well-known cast. It’s hard to follow the footsteps of other popular dramas such as “Love O2O” (the OG), “The King’s Avatar”, “Gank Your Heart”, “Cross Fire” (my favorite) and “Falling Into Your Smile”.

The plot is simple without too many unpredictable twists. It’s an easy watch with OK acting and no annoying characters. We follow the journey of male lead, Xiao Yi Chuan, a once top player of the industry. Due to a hand injury, he disappears from the esports world but comes back for another chance of success. Along the way, he finds love and camaraderie with his team members, and also finds his former self.

The gameplay of “Out with a Bang” reminds me of that in “Cross Fire”. Instead of relying only on animation, we have actors playing their characters and doing different stunts and shooting. This is my preferred gameplay, as I like to see the effort actors put in, instead of them just staring at a monitor and doing finger exercises on their keyboards and mice. Animation could be prettier, but this is more fun to watch as a viewer who is not familiar with the games. However, this is a lower budget production and it would be unfair to compare it to the gameplay in “Cross Fire”. I do appreciate the actors' effort and think they did a pretty good job with the shooting scenes. Unfortunately, there is a lack of exciting gameplay throughout the drama. The exciting scenes are all concentrated in the last few episodes. I would have liked to see some more during friendly competitions with other teams or during their livestream practices.

The romance storyline is OK. It’s not the strongest but it’s an easy watch. The leads are more fun before they become a couple. I am a fan of bickering couples and the enemies-to-lovers trope, so I quite enjoy the first half of the drama when it comes to romance. But once they confess their feelings, the romance becomes boring. The romance is reduced to two kids getting cute and jealous. There aren’t enough heart-fluttering scenes and the kisses are lacking. We got a decent kiss out of them.

The best part of the drama is the bromance. The bromance between Xiao Yi Chuan and his best friend, Wang Bo Yu, is funny and cute. It’s nice to see how much Wang Bo Yu cares for XYC despite not being in the same team but has been friends since they were amateur gamers. The bromance between XYC and Chu Tian is also done well. I enjoy the development from love rivals, to teammates, to mentor/mentee relationships. However, compared to other esports drama, the rest of the teammate camaraderie is a little lacking and hasn’t been the focus of the drama. Usually, team chemistry is the biggest selling point in this genre, but at least we have two pretty good bromances.

If you are a fan of the actors and want a simple and easy-to-understand esports drama, this could be a good introduction to the genre. But if you have seen the other more famous esports dramas as the ones I listed, then you might be disappointed. Personally I am going to rate this a 7.75 and not fault the drama for the not-so-great gameplay due to the budget. However, the writing and acting could have been better, and I don't like the dubbing at all.

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More of a Family drama than a Fantasy Romance drama.

Completed - 8/24/2022 - 7.75 rating

“4-punkan no Marigold” also known as “Marigold in 4 minutes” should be viewed as a family drama and not a romance fantasy drama. When reading the synopsis, it seems like the focus is on the step siblings' romance and how ML is trying to change FL’s fate. I would say that FAMILY is the focus.

I didn’t realize the “4 Minutes” in the title is referring to the rule of performing 4 CPR within the first 4 minutes to maximize the chance of saving someone, until I read @timotey’s review. Doh… now it all makes sense. Initially, I thought the drama would be very episodic with different EMT medical case stories. I was concerned that I might be bored, but was pleasantly surprised that’s not the case. At least for me, it’s a good thing. There are still several meaningful cases but it’s not the one case per episode format.

When I think of this as a family drama, I could be a little less disappointed in the romance. I have a new crush on our ML, Fukushi Sota. When he smiles, his eyes smile with him. He seems so kind and caring. However, because the romance is between two step siblings, no time is spent on the development or getting-to-know-each-other phase of the relationship. The point of the romance is not the romance, but to show that ML loves FL that he wants to change her fate. I don’t think their romance is believable. They feel like siblings to me.

Jdorama is known for its fast pace, since they are quite short. However, there are times when I feel the pacing is quite slow, and I lose focus and get sidetracked. The drama does not hold my full attention throughout the 10 episodes. This might also be due to the fact that there aren’t enough mini climaxes. It’s a very mellow drama. It’s not particularly sad or exciting, and didn’t evoke a lot of emotions from me.

Acting is pretty good, not amazing but not bad either. Yokohama Ryussei was still quite young in this drama, and you could see his potential to be a future popular star. I am also glad that there are no annoying characters in this drama. All the supporting characters are friendly and supportive.

This is not a solid 8.0 drama for me personally, only a 7.75.. It’s decent and a good relaxing watch. Although it’s not a slice-of-life drama, it feels like one.

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Butterfly Effects keep things interesting and not reptitive

Completed - 8/6/2022

After this year’s very popular hit C-drama “Reset” with a similar topic of time loop, I wasn’t sure if “Triage” could top it. I am usually not a big fan of the time loop theme, but due to the overwhelming praises for both dramas, I decided to watch them, and I am glad I did. Both dramas live up to the expectations. I am actually surprised I liked “Triage” quite a lot.

Not sure if there’s a production relation between “Triage” and “Manner of Death” but I was really hoping this would be a much better drama. I was quite disappointed with “Manner of Death”. Luckily, the overall plot and execution in “Triage” are a lot better and do not leave too many plot holes even though it could be quite difficult for a time loop theme. However, I have to say that the chemistry of the leads pales in comparison to Max and Tul.

I was not sure what Tin saw in Tol during the first few loops to fall in love with him. I didn’t think Tol was that likable and with Tin focusing on saving him, the chemistry wasn’t quite there for me. Once Tin got to know Tol after a few more loops, then I can see a little more chemistry (still not enough). However, I think the acting of Tin and Tol are just OK, and not amazing. Maybe that’s why I am not feeling the chemistry, especially when I might have subconsciously compared them to the leads in “Manner of Death”.

Regarding the plot,I was not totally invested in the story until about episode 3. The first two episodes have rapid fire time loops to showcase Tin’s frustrations in the process. But then the story slowly unfolds, like peeling an onion. I then realized the whole plot is more than just saving Tol. Side characters are slowly and smartly introduced. The time loops are so well executed that I don’t find them repetitive at all. With each time loop and butterfly effect, the story changes. We can then see how each side story is tied together to create the big central plot. I am still not quite sure why this all started. Was it because of the prayer Tin made when he was young? Is that why he was selected and given the chance to redo everything? I guess that’s for the viewer to interpret themselves.

One big initial concern of mine before I start watching this drama is whether medical procedures would be believable. Medical dramas are a hit-or-miss, mostly a miss. I am not a medical professional, so I can’t say everything they did in the drama is correctly done. But to my untrained eyes, it’s at least passable and not too fake. Unfortunately, I couldn’t say the same thing for the medical procedures and autopsies done in “Manner of Death”.

If you are looking for a more mature Thai BL drama that’s not in a school setting, I definitely recommend this. If you enjoy medical dramas and time loops, this is the drama for you. “Triage” might not top “Not Me” as my most favorite Thai BL drama to date, but I still had a very enjoyable time watching it.

p.s Wait.. I just realized I didn't notice/remember any product placement!! That's a first in a Thai drama for me!!!

Other Random Observations:
1. It’s nice to see a surprise guest appearance
2. All the women in this drama are pretty!!
3. Unfortunately, I only found Dr. Sing to be the only good-looking man in this drama.
4.Acting is decent overall
5. The professor really could get away with a lot of things in the hospital, even though they are security cameras everywhere.
6. Music is not memorable to me.

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