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Complex characters, good acting but very slow-paced without much happening
My expectations of “The On1y One” were quite high due to the comments and reviews I’ve heard. Unfortunately, it might not have met what I was hoping for. It was still a pretty good drama, especially the acting of the cast. But if I have to compare it to my recent favorite, ‘The Time of Fever’, it’s not up to that level of enjoyment for me.What I Like:
1. Main Acting
I will complain about the ages of the main leads, but maybe a younger cast might not be able to deliver such nuanced acting. Liu Dong Qin is an experienced actor, and even though he looks way too old to be 18 (he’s 30 in real life), he was able to portray Sheng Wang really well. Benjamin Tsang was a surprise since he’s quite new to the industry. He only started acting in 2023 but his Jiang Tian is so believable. The perceptive, contemplative and longing looks he has for Sheng Wang really deliver all the emotions with few words.
2. Sheng Wang + Jiang Tian
Two very different teenagers who have nothing alike are able to find comfort in each other. Sheng Wang is a lonely boy, who wants to be surrounded by friends, but is afraid to owe a favor. He’s rich, spoiled and picky but has a good heart. Jiang Tian, on the other hand, had a tough upbringing, never had a place to truly call home. Knowing he never unpacked his suitcase pains me. He’s used to being left behind and has built a tall wall around him, so he will never be abandoned again. Both of these characterizations and how they become close to each other is beautifully written. This is also the strength of the drama. Romance is secondary, but how these two individuals grow is central.
3. The Moments
I love all of Jiang Tian’s moments. He’s a man of few words, and these moments give us an inside look of how he really feels. I might complain about the flashback, but the first moment when Sheng Wang called out his name, is significant and symbolic of their relationship. Jiang Tian is my favorite character. He appears tough, but he can never truly say “no” to Sheng Wang.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Age
First look at Liu Dong Qin, and I thought he’s way too old to play the part. I don’t think I was ever able to get past these feelings, even though he was acting young and pouty.
2. Pacing + Flashbacks
12 episodes are way too long for this drama without much going on. The pacing is already slow and when you add on the constant flashbacks, it feels even slower. Though I enjoy the writing of the main leads character development and their relationship, nothing much really happened. The drama could have spent more time on the other side stories. Season 2 was not even announced or may not be in the works when season 1 was written. But it’s written as if it’s dragging its feet and hoping for a second season.
3. Side Plots/Characters
While the banter between Pepper and Gao Tian Yang is cute and fun, the crush Pepper has on one of the main leads could be more obvious and developed better. The love triangle between the teachers happened towards the latter half of the drama, and could use more screen time and a stronger focus. I want to know and see more of the two teachers’ background stories (one is not enough), instead of just telling me they were close. Is the kidnapping really necessary? The only NC scene of the drama felt out of place. All of the kisses in the drama are very G-rated, described as “4 lips touching together.” The NC scene feels like fan service because this is considered a BL, so we need some sex? It’s longer than necessary to tell the story.
There’s a lot to love about this drama, it just didn’t meet my expectations. I will recommend this if you enjoy a slow burn relationship (not necessary romance) with complex characters. The drama is an easy watch and very character-driven. But if you enjoy a more plot-driven drama, this might not be it for you.
Completed: 10/21/2024 - Review #500
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Only for those looking for romance and nothing else.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75If you are looking for a pure romantic comedy, then “Cinderella at 2 AM” is for you. The whole drama focuses on the relationship between Yun Seo (FL) and Ju Wong (ML). There’s a little bit about family relationships but for the most part, it’s romance all the way. Is that a good thing or not? Well, it depends what you are looking for. I am a romance lover, but I find the drama lacking in plot. I was more invested in the first half of the drama and loving the romance. But towards the second half, I was looking for more than what the drama could give me.
Having said that, Moon Sang Min is just too adorable. I am actually watching this for him (and because I am looking for a stress-free fluffy romance). Moon Sang Min pouts like an adorable (but very clingy) puppy. But when he stands tall with his 3-piece suit on, he’s a lovely sight. His visuals deserve a solid 8.0 rating. Can you tell I might have a tiny crush on him? LOL.
I am glad “Cinderella at 2 AM” doesn’t focus on the age gap, since I am not a big fan of noona romance. However, visually, you can see Moon Sang Min is younger than Shin Hyun Been. Their chemistry is good though. Their cute scenes make me giggle, and their struggles to stay away from each other hurt me as well. I love that ML is happy just from watching FL being happy, and that he’s willing to try things he doesn’t like because of her, and end up finding new hobbies and likes. The acting is decent and their story is fun….up until I found it a little repetitive with the back-and-forth. I understand it’s not easy to break up when you still love each other. The wishy-washy behavior is totally understandable, it just doesn’t give me a fun watching experience.
The secondary couple is odd yet interesting and lovable at the same time. It’s quite interesting seeing how Seo Si Won and Lee Min Jin fall in love. It provides some more comedic moments.
The two sets of siblings have very different dynamics, and I love them both. The work colleagues though, are borderline annoying and over-the-top.
“Cinderella at 2 AM” is a decent rom-com if you are in the mood for it. It doesn’t take itself seriously and oftentimes makes fun of drama cliches and tropes. But if you are looking for something with substance, then this is not it.
Completed: 9/27/2024 - Review #491
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Decent rom-com for fans of Xu Lu and Miles Wei
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75For the most part, “Hello, I’m at Your Service” is a fun and light drama. The best part about is the chemistry and the romance between Dong Dong En (FL) and Lou Yan (ML) and their story is the central plot. Mixed with this fun romance are the business side of things and the relationships of the different characters. Not a serious business drama, so don't be deterred if you don't like business stories.
Main Leads:
As mentioned, Xu Lu and Miles Wei have great chemistry together. They make this drama watchable with their acting and the healthy relationship that they have. Dong Dong En is an account executive that would do anything to please her customer, Party A. Whatever Party A wants and at any time of the day, she delivers. Miles Wei is a typical C-drama CEO. He was cool and calm in the beginning but slowly evolved into a great, warm and adorable love interest and boyfriend. Their fun interaction in the first half of the drama creates a lot of comedic moments (which to some might be a little over-the-top). But if you just go with the ride, you can see Xu Lu and Miles Wei have a lot of fun playing their respective roles. Once they get together, Lou Yuan is especially cute and adorable. They have honest and open communication. Lou Yuan is one of the rare CEOs who openly declares his love in sincerity to everyone, expresses his feelings and always says the right thing (though his words don’t always touch my heart for some reason). He’s the perfect boyfriend. Dong Dong En, on the other hand, is a little more reserved in this relationship and yet she’s the one with the supposedly bigger personality. She’s more cautious because of the disparity of their social status and their business relationship. She’s the one in the driver’s seat in the relationship. It’s been a long time since I saw such a dynamic in a romantic comedy, and I appreciate that.
Supporting Cast:
I enjoy the side story between Wang Zi Jian and Cao Ya. It’s nothing earth shattering because we’ve seen such second lead romance in many romantic comedies. However, it’s nice to see a pair of successful individuals get together when one is a supposedly playboy and the other is an independent, career woman. The different characters at both companies, Peony and 82, are fun and endearing. There isn’t anyone too annoying and most of them are very supportive and caring individuals. ML’s mom is fun and loud. FL’s parents are caring yet protective, but not too unreasonable. At least we have nice parents in a C-drama. The ‘villain’ is OK. The character is not very well developed as a ‘villain’ but I can understand the animosity towards the leads. The only side character I couldn’t stand was introduced towards the last ¼ of the drama. Let’s say she was introduced to cause trouble for our main couple, since everything is going so swimmingly well and we just need drama.
Acting:
Xu Lu and Miles Wei really have no trouble playing their respective roles. These are not difficult characters to play and they are both very experienced actors. Their performances are to be expected. Everyone else did their job right. I would not say there’s anyone that stands out for me to praise, nor anyone that stands out for me to criticize.
Business Plot:
If you don’t like business stories, this drama isn’t too bad. A lot does happen at the two companies, but business talks are minimal and not difficult to understand. The stories revolve mainly around the characters and their relationships in the business world. But towards the last ¼ of the drama, the business plot does kick up a notch to wrap up the ‘villain’s’ story. I was actually quite bored during this part of the drama and might have fallen asleep a little. For a 24-episode drama, the pacing is good right until the very end for me when I lose my focus. This is partly due to the business plot and the introduction of a character I don’t care for. But compared to recent office romance dramas, the romance is central to this drama, and not the business.
Overall, I would recommend this drama if you are fans of Xu Lu and Miles Wei, or if you are looking for something light and funny. The comedy might be a little too much for some in the beginning with Xu Lu’s character. But it tones down after a while. “Hello, I’m at Your Service” is not an exceptional drama and definitely not a must-watch. I have a good enough time watching this, except towards the end when I got a little bored and distracted. Because of this, I am rating this a 7.75 instead of a solid 8.0.
Completed: 10/6/2023 - Review #363
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Slice-of-Life Drama - Women Power and the Friendliest and Most supportive female characters ever!
As many have reviewed and commented, “New Life Begins” is a special drama. A drama that is full of positivity, humor, lovely sismance, hilarious bromance and friendships. In fact, the drama has so many cool, independent and friendly female characters that I actually feel slightly weird watching it. I kept on expecting something bad is going to come from the left field and derail this happy choo choo train. This is what happens when I watch too many C-dramas with too many evil and jealous second female leads.I was skeptical to try this drama out because comedies are a hit-or-miss to me. I am not a fan of over-the-top and slapstick comedy. I am glad I gave it a shot. The comedic moments are funny and not overly dramatic. I really had a great time watching it and laughing with and at the characters. It’s rare to see such a big cast with so many characters that you love. I want to hang out with all of them.
“New Life Begins” is more of a slice-of-life drama than a romance. In fact, the main romance is so slow-burn that I was getting a little bit disappointed. Curb your expectations if you think you will get many sweet and fluffy scenes. Even though the main leads are a couple for a very long time, they act like friends for most of the drama. I wish they would sprinkle some more sweetness throughout the drama, and not wait till the last 5 episodes.
But if you are into female friendships, sismance and strong women, this is the drama for me. There are many female characters with very distinct and interesting personalities. You will surely find someone to root for. This is a drama about girl power. I actually want to see more of the female business owners and not only the restaurant. The drama talks about some sort of Women Chamber of Commerce, a school, postpartum mother’s care and education, martial arts academy teaching self-defense, etc. But these are not shown but only mentioned in passing. I hope they have cut down on some of the palace politics and fight for the crown, and spend more time on the different kingdoms and businesses. The drama changes its lighthearted tone to a more serious tone in the middle and it lasts too long.
The political plot is nothing special, if you’ve seen enough Chinese historical drama. We have princes fighting for the King’s attention and for the crown, the King trying to balance the power of all the princes, and sad childhood and background stories of growing up in the palace. The best part is probably the interesting personalities of the princes and their bromance.
The acting is pretty good. I was worried I might not like the female lead, but she turns out to be smart and very likable. I actually enjoy Bai Jing Ting’s scenes when he is at home and acts all shy and awkward. Unfortunately, I don’t get the princely charisma from him.
This is a perfect drama to watch to relieve stress. Nothing is too serious or angsty, and there’s plenty of humor. You will definitely find someone you like and want to root for. We have a collection of amazing and supportive women in this drama.
Other Random Observations:
1. Did they sneak in a same-sex couple in this drama?
2. 7th Prince and his wife have so few scenes, but their shy and awkward personalities are a scene stealer for me. They are so cute!
3. It’s my personal pet peeve, but I don’t like the way Tian Xi Wei (FL) speaks. Her speech is choppy and sounds like she’s mumbling a few words out instead of complete sentences.
4. I am glad the actors use their own voices, but the post-production dubbing is just OK.
5. Love all the food scenes!
Completed: 12/17/2022 - 500th drama!
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Excellent Acting with different stories that can impact each of us.
Completed: 7/17/2022Subjective Rating - 8.25-8.5
Objective Rating - 8.5+
This is my first omnibus-style drama and it took me a while to get used to it. And as a binge watcher, this is not the pacing that I am comfortable with. It was difficult for me to want to press "next episode" each time. It took me a long time to finish this drama and I have to watch one story at a time. Of course, this is very subjective and others might find all stories so compelling that they couldn't stop watching. Because of this, I am only rating this drama at 8.5. Additionally, a couple stories are not as interesting to me.
"Our Blues" takes place on the beautiful Jeju Island, a place I've been wanting to visit. Taking us out of the big city and into the more rural village provided us the opportunity to appreciate nature and this drama has beautiful cinematography and an amazing and soothing OST. I really enjoy the small town feel and the village lifestyle and community. However, it does take me a couple episodes to get used to the personality of the islanders. They are nosy, loud and rude, and just can't stay out of other people's business. But they are also kind and soft-hearted, and each character is ready to jump in to help anyone in a split second. That's the beauty of all the stories here and it's heartwarming to see there are people out there who truly cares. It's the perfect place for healing, to take a break or to ask for help.
Looking at the cast list, it's without a doubt that you do not have to worry about the acting performance of anyone. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, is excellent. This drama evokes so many different emotions that it's amazing how everyone is so good. I do want to point out a few that stood out to me:
1. Lee Byung Hun - the last drama of his I watched was "Mr. Sunshine". And what a different role he has in "Our Blues". I applaud him for taking such a different role and doing such a great job. You can't see a shadow of Eugene Choi in his role as Lee Song Seok.
2. Lee Jung Eun - I've seen her in so many other dramas in a supporting role and her acting here is off the charts. She plays the caring, loud-mouthed, nosy Jung Eun Hee so well. The first few episodes are about her, and I was mesmerized by her acting.
3. Kim Woo Bin - My first of his drama and I'm glad he's back after taking care of himself. I avoided watching "Uncontrollably Fond", so I'm glad to see him here. Kim Woo Bin's eyes can convey so many different emotions. I stare at his eyes and I am in love, and adding the fact that his character is so lovable, I've added Park Jung Joon to my "Ideal Man" list. LOL
4. Jun Eun Hye - Not only do I appreciate the fact that we have an actress with Down Syndrome in this show, but that she is not portrayed as the sweet and innocent girl. She is sassy and has a great personality. She is tough, will argue with you and keep you on your toes. And yes, people with disabilities do drink and cuss, and they want to be pretty and have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
As mentioned earlier, not all the stories touched me or that I find super interesting. Here's a quick recap (I tried to keep it without spoiler but read as your own risks).
Han Soo + Eun Hui
A very impactful beginning of a drama. Here we reminisce the past/first love, money issues and family burdens. The powerful confrontation scene in the hotel room was a big "WOW" moment for me. It was so quiet the whole time, no music and just letting two veteran actors duke it out. This story makes you wonder how you treat your friends and who are your real friends.
Yeong Ok + Jung Joon
This is when I fall in love with Kim Woo Bin. He's so warm and accepting that he doesn't care about Yeong Ok's relationship history. He believes in her and loves her, despite her lies in the beginning.
Young Joo + Hyung
What happened when Romeo and Juliet got together and have a kid? This story explores teen decisions and family support. How do we get parental approval when life has been so hard?
Deong Seok + Seon Ah
Postpartum depression is a difficult topic and not portrayed enough in dramas. This story explores the darkness of depression and how it affects everyone in the family, especially the child. It's important to have someone who doesn't give up on you and stand by your side until you are better.
Mi Ran + Eun Hee
When two best friends perceive their friendship differently, the result is a big argument and brawl. Eu Hee is the one that I wish she has all the happiness in the world. She's been there for everyone, her BFF and neighbors, but was hurt by her first love and BFF.
Yeong Ok + Yeong Hui + Jung Hoon
I love this story esp. the realistic portrayal of someone with Down Syndrome. Yeong Hui works, makes money, and wants what we all want. I love that she is the main character in this story and not just resorted to a few lines here and there. I love the complicated sisterhood and the friendship between Yeong Hui and Jung Hoon. The last scene when Yeong Ok was in the van alone was very touching.
Choon Hee + Eung Gi
What an adorable little grand daughter and what a fun duo she makes with her grand mother. They have such an interesting dynamic when they slowly learn how to get along with each other. I LOVE the scene with 100 moons!!
Deong Sok + Ok Dong
We knew from the start that there will be a story about this mother/son relationship. The reason why mom remarried was not surprising, but it's still heartbreaking nonetheless. Reconciliation and the acceptance/preparation for death are explored in this story. In the last episode, I am glad that everyone finds closure and we get to see all the characters back in a super fun way.
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Unique talent/focus of the artist is the biggest draw of the show.
Completed - 5/26/2022I am not sure how accurate the portrayal of police sketch artists is in this drama and if they are really that smart and fascinating in real life. However, the biggest selling point of this drama is Shen Yi. I am in awe of his techniques, perceptiveness, and intelligence in solving crimes using his art. Can you really sketch someone's face by deducing what's behind a mask from an unclear CCTV footage? Or from skull and bone structures? Or from the restructuring of facial muscles and tendons? It's really fascinating to watch all of Shen Yi's scenes and to learn from him and what's going on inside that brain of his.
The length of each case is just right. Oftentimes, cases are either too long and you get bored, or they are too short and start back-to-back that I feel like I couldn't catch a breath. Some of the cases in the first 1/3 of the show are more exciting to me than others. I was hoping these cases will slowly provide clues of the main overarching storyline of the murder case 7 years ago. However, aside from that one case and the last arc, the drama seems to have completely forgotten about this general plot. Even though I enjoy most of the cases, I was never on the edge of my seat. I am missing mini climaxes throughout the drama. Because of this, the drama lost my attention in the middle.
A personal pet peeve, I was very irritated when the psychologist disclosed patient confidential information. How unprofessional is that? She's giving out both diagnosis and treatment information without the patient's consent. On another note, why was the crime scene medical examiner be called to assist another station with a rape patient? Don't they have hospital doctors to do that?
We also have a slow burn friendship/bromance going on. I was actually expecting better chemistry, as I saw so many feeds post about the male leads when this drama was airing. The development of the friendship happens towards the last 1/3 of the drama. Other than that, the leads are just like regular co-workers working side by side. I am not feeling the connection of the characters and am missing the human side of their stories. I don't dislike anyone, yet I don't particularly like anyone either.
The beautiful drawings/paintings, and the uniqueness of Shen Yi's talents are what kept me interested in the drama. Unfortunately, I don't share the same excitement of this drama as other watchers.
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This review may contain spoilers
"I Like You" - the words you want to hear the most but can't
Completed - 4/20/2022"Shining For One Thing" is a dark horse drama in 2022. A drama without a hugely popular cast or promotion, but wins the hearts of viewers due to its storytelling, acting and moving plot. I have seen my share of high school teen dramas and after a while, they all look the same. Time-traveling and alternate universe plots can be a hit or miss. But I am happy to say that "Shining For One Thing" is a great combo. It's like "Someday or One Day" + "Reset" (high school romance version).
What I Enjoy:
1) Plot/Storytelling - This drama does a fantastic job in switching between the two timelines/universes. It keeps me interested throughout and I wasn't bored when the story resets itself. It also keeps me guessing along with our FL, the secret of going back and forth. What really triggers it? Is it the high school exam? Is it the death of a character? Is it a magic word/phrase spoken? What really happened to ML on that fateful rainy day at the tower? In addition to the mystery and fantasy components, the love story between our leads is both sweet and heartbreaking. I was enjoying the ride of a sweet romance up until about episode 12. Then my anxiety kicked in and I started to worry about ML. I like his character so much that I really, really want him to have a happy ending. But with the way the story goes, deep down, I know the second half of the drama is going to hit hard. With only 24 episodes, the pacing of the drama is great.
2) Qu Chu Xiao as Zhang Wen San (ML) - In "Bloody Romance", Qu Chu Xiao played a stoic, reserved character who would sacrifice himself for FL and showed his love for her through actions behind her back. Qu Chu Xiao plays a similar character here as Zhang Wen San. ZWS is shy, sweet and reserved. Similarly, he also would do anything to protect FL and does A LOT behind the scene for her. Qu Chu Xiao plays this role so well. I love seeing ZWS's shy, little smile, or glance at FL here and there. ZWS is mature, supportive and thoughtful. Although he's shy, he also will speak his mind if needed. I love the way he speaks and I really like Qu Chu Xiao's sexy voice. Personally, I just have a soft spot for a male lead who does a lot behind FL's back, and if he's shy and sweet, extra brownie points for him!
3) The Cast - I enjoy the acting of everyone in this drama, especially our male and female leads. Both successfully display a range of emotions as the tone of the drama is quite different in the first and second half. Even though none of the actors are teenagers or in their early 20s, they do look the part. Karina Zhang is 32 (in real life) yet without makeup, she looks like a teenager and acts like a teenager. I also appreciate the fact that we only have 1 somewhat childish character in the whole drama. Since there are different universes/timelines in the drama and what happens varies each time, it provides the cast opportunities to act differently. A special mention to the class teacher who likes to recite poems. He’s sweet and funny. I actually don’t find him including English words here and there in the way he talks annoying.
4) Main Romance - I like the somewhat slow-burn romance between the leads. We already know early on that ML likes FL. It’s an enjoyable process to see how FL gets to know ML from the scratch, finds out what he’s done for her, and slowly falls for him and wants to be the one to protect him. There’s so much sweetness in the first half of the drama. The second half is heartbreaking, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like it. To know that the words that she wants to hear the most, are the exact words that she can’t hear. Normally, what FL has to do would be along the lines of noble idiocy (which I dislike) but in this case, she really can’t help it.
I don’t really have anything I dislike in this drama. But there are a few things that I have mixed feelings about.
1) Lin Bei Xing (FL) - I am lukewarm about the female lead. I don’t dislike her but I don’t consider her to be one of my favorite female leads as well. At times, I think she does act like she’s 30, other times, she acts like a teenager (when she’s not really one). But I like how she’s grown at the end.
2) The music and songs are not bad. However, I feel that the drama overplays the songs. Each time there’s a romantic scene (a hug, a close-up glance at each other), you can bet your money that a song will be played.
3) Childhood connection - I have already professed my love for ML. However, I find it just a little hard to believe that ML will do so much behind FL’s back to protect her, just because they had that one childhood connection at the zoo when they were in elementary school. I just want a little more to justify his love for her.
4) Secondary romance - Well, should I even consider that romance? It’s more like an unlikely friendship between Gao Ge and Yang Chao Yang. Their romance is unnecessary. I do like the alternate plot of Zhang Yu chasing FL.
*SPOILER*
Ending - Let’s talk about the ending. I am not satisfied! I wanted more! I was expecting ML to show up in the last episode. Throughout the drama, no one actually confirms his death. We only knew he fell and the family moved. Therefore, I was expecting him to reunite with FL at the end. I don’t need a full-on episode of them getting married and living happily ever after. But I want more than what the drama gives us. We didn’t even see a face!
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Not the best Sisterhood Drama
Completed - 2/14/2022 - 7.75 rounding up to 8.0It’s hard for me not to compare “Crossroad Bistro” with other C-dramas that focus on female friendships and their experiences in life and romance. Compared to “Remembrance of Things Past” (excellent drama) and “Delicious Romance” (fun romantic comedy), “Crossroad Bistro” pales in comparison in the female friendship. This drama is more of a slice–of-life drama and it doesn’t hook me in right away like the other two dramas.
In ROTP and DR, the female characters have been friends since high school, or even earlier. They already have a very tight bond, and know each other very well. And because they know each other so well, their dialogues are meaningful and witty. However, in “Crossroad Bistro”, two women are cousins, two are friends from high school and one is not close to either of the 4 to begin with. There isn’t enough time in the drama to show us how their friendship evolves and develops for them to trust each other and venture into a business together. It doesn’t seem very believable to me. I am not saying that they have to be friends for years, but I do want the drama to show me more of this newfound sisterhood. Additionally, the 4 business owners do not have that much interaction with each other, aside from having meals at the bistro every so often. In the other two dramas, the women made you feel like you want to be friends with them, and you want to be a part of their special group. I do not feel this way in CR.
On a positive note, the acting all around is pretty good. Individually, I like and dislike some of the ladies, and that is probably due to their acting. I actually do not know any of the female leads aside from Drolman Suijun who’s in “The Rebel Princess” but I don’t remember her. I am more familiar with their romantic partners. I am a BIG fan of Wang Yang (“Because of Love”, “The Rebel”, “You are my Hero”, “Joy of Life”). I’ve seen Yang Xu Wen “Noble Aspirations 1&2”, “The Legend of the Condor Heroes“. There are also two surprising guest appearances as wel - a climber’s wife and a doctor’s son.
As characters go, the women all have pretty different personalities and career paths. In a way, that’s good as we get to see their different life experiences and choices they make. I think I might like You Shan Shan (CEO) the most, followed by Feng Xi (Bistro Manager). Bao Xue (Actress) is cute and fun in the beginning, but I feel annoyed towards the end when she’s acting a little childish. I feel a little meh about Si Meng (housewife) and really dislike Dai Xiao Yu (PR) As for the male characters, we get three really good guys that I don’t think the women deserve (except for Feng Xi) and two jerks. This is not a drama with lovable characters.
I really enjoy the music in this drama. There are a few nice songs and also musical scenes in the drama with live music playing. I’ve never seen the musical instrument that You Shan Shan plays (not sure what it’s called) but the sounds made were beautiful. Her jam session with the other artists is one of my favorite scenes.
Other Random Observations:
1. All the women in this drama are super skinny.
2. Zheng Ye Cheng looks cool, handsome and mature here - not the pale and baby-faced idol actor.
3. We have men who look like men and not young boys.
4. I want to see more of the developing romance between Feng Xi and Zhao He Nan. Everything happens too fast. This is the romance I look forward to the most.
5. I thought the Bistro serves only Chinese food - but they have steaks and sandwiches, too?
6. They really like to eat dumplings in this drama (being set in Beijing).
7. It’s very weird that the drama shows when it’s the last time the characters appear in the drama. It could be a minor spoiler if it happens in the middle of the show. And completely unnecessary when it’s the Epilog.
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Flashback Galore + Hot Guys with Hot Abs
Completed - 1/15/2022The reason I picked this drama is because I want to watch a William Chan modern drama. Having seen him in "Lost Love in Times" and "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse", I am not convinced in his acting. I hope to see him in a different role (not the cold/bland type) and in a modern setting. I am glad that I watched "Only side by side with you" as now I have a small crush on him.
As for the drama itself, what the reviewers and commenters said about flashbacks are totally true. Let's address what I don't like in the drama first.
What I don't Like:
1 Flashbacks - You need the fast-forward button with you to watch this drama, esp. if you are binge-watching. For the first 12 episodes, the flashbacks aren't bad as they are telling the history of the two male leads when they're in military school. So, there's a purpose and I am fine with that. After that, the flashbacks happen every single episode multiple times. These are long flashbacks and sometimes what happened earlier in the episode. This drama is really testing the audiences' patience and it's the main reason I can't give a high rating.
2. Product Placement - It's been a while since I watched a drama with SO many products featured. Is it because it's an older 2018 drama? Or because they need a lot of money to purchase drones and create fancy white offices? I have no idea. Products include: face creams, insurances, mobile apps, delivery service, drinks (OJ and bottled drinks), different types of alcohol, and of course, Macbook Pro for everyone. But the worst product is the cold medicine. Because the medicine has a sticker, the characters are not necessarily taking the meds, but use them as sticky for notes, like post-its. I have to applaud how creative they showcase this cold medicine.
3. Secondary Romance - I am not quite interested in this romance. I do not like Rachel Wang's acting as Ou Yang Qi (pet store owner). I don't feel the chemistry between Ou YangQi and Hao Jie, no matter how much Hao Jie tries and tries. I also don't see a reason for this love-at-first sight.
What I Enjoy:
1. Nan Qiao (FL) - It's so refreshing to see a smart, sensible, hard-working, independent woman CEO in a C-drama. Oftentimes, CEO are portrayed either as super cold or super bitchy. Nan Qian might be a little nerdy in the beginning, but she's never rude or dumb. I enjoy her character being slowly revealed as more than a nerdy engineer. Even when she fell in love, her sensibility did not go out the door. She's honest and direct when expressing her her feelings to the ML. I enjoy Bai Bai He's portrayal of Nan Qiao. She's not particularly pretty but she gives off a genuine vibe that fits this role.
2. William Chan - As I mentioned, I watch this drama because of William Chan. I am so happy to see him in a role where he can flex his acting chops. Shi Yue is a character that has a fun side and a dark side. William is able to portray the funny, adorable and flirty side of Shi Yue. And then in another scene, he's boxing and fighting and turned into a boss. When he smiles, I melt. So much better than the blank look I get from watching him in Pearl Eclipse. And there are so many scenes where he's topless or showing his muscles. He also looks dashing in all his clothes, whether it's casual wear or a 3-piece suit.
3. Fashion - Aside from Nan Qiao's earlier dorky fashion, all the leads have a wonderful wardrobe. Even Nan Qiao dresses a lot nicer after the first 1/3 of the show. It's nice to see an office drama where people dress appropriately to their age, and their work environment. Both An Ning and Wen Di have sophisticated and fancy outfits throughout the drama, and both women look beautiful and smart. Nan Qiao's early dorky fashion eventually evolves to a more sophisticated office look and more fashionable casual wear when she's on dates and not in the office. Our two male leads look super handsome in shirts/pants, or suits, or casual sports wear. They are both tall and lean, and basically look good in anything.
4. Plot/Pacing (minus flashbacks) - If I take the flashbacks out of the drama, the story has pretty good pacing. Although there isn't anything too unpredictable in the plot (a couple common tropes), the story keeps me engaged. There's a good mix of drone engineering/romance/rivalries/dark pasts to keep me entertained. I was never bored or felt that the storyline dragged for too long. It's unfortunate someone decides to use so many flashbacks. This drama could easily be a 30-episode drama.
5. Dads Unite - ML and FL's fathers are so funny together! Individually, they could be overbearing for their children. But when they are together, they are hilarious. Their conversations, banters and attempts in getting their kids together. The scene at the dating show registration is so funny!
Other Observations:
1. The bromance is pretty good in this drama.
2. I feel the rivalry between the two MLs resolved too easily and quickly without much fanfare.
3. Watch this if you are a fan of William Chan and Li Xian.
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Leo Wu carries this drama...don't watch this for Sean Xiao
10/9/2021As I continue to search for great martial arts dramas with amazing fight scenes, I stumbled onto "Fights Break Sphere". This is actually not a traditional wuxia/martial arts drama, but more of a fantasy drama. The drama ends with a small cliffhanger as to what would happen to our ML next. But don't worry, it has a good enough closure that I think it's safe to watch Season 1 and patiently wait for Season 2 with a totally different cast.
Leo Wu, not Sean Xiao - First, watch this drama because you are a fan of Leo Wu. His acting is great and carries the drama on his back all by himself. Do not watch this drama because of Sean Xiao, Li Qin or Xin Zhi Lei. This drama is all about Leo Wu's character and how he developed from a 15-year old without any great martial arts skills to be the savior of the world. Sean Xiao has a very small part in this drama. He's only one of the side kicks. Li Qin also has a very small role and only appears in a few episodes. I even find her character quite annoying and she appears a little too old to act young and naive, and definitely looks too old to be Leo Wu's love interest. Xin Zhi Lei's part is even smaller. I don't think she has more than 30 minutes of screen time.
Strong female cast - Even though all the female characters are only in the supporting cast, I am happy to see that they are all strong women with great martial arts skills. They are no damsel in distress and are not whiny and naive. They get stronger throughout the drama as they themselves continue to learn and develop their skills. Our FL supports ML in his fight and is always ready to come and save and help him.
Romance - Romance plays a very small part in this drama. I was hoping to see more developed between Xiao Yan and Xun Er. After the side story of Xiao Yan and Xia Yi Xan, I was waiting for Xiao Yan to realize that he truly loves Xun Er and not only sees her as a sister. I never get that satisfaction. Even up till now, I don't really know if Xiao Yan loves any of the girls. Maybe I have to wait for Season 2 to find out.
JianNan Academy/Hogwarts - Jian Nan Academy reminds me of Hogwarts (from Harry Potter). Students learn to fight, to cultivate and to make medicines from different teachers specializing in their crafts. Doesn't it sound like the different lessons in Hogwarts? They also have different colored uniforms, like the different Houses. JianNan Academy is protected by a seal cast by the Fight God, just like how Hogwarts is protected from enemies. There is even a marketplace for students to buy and sell, just like Hogsmeade. The snake that they fought against reminded me of Nagini, the sword that ML uses is like one of Voldemort's Horcruxes! Isn't the big bad guy Voldemort? Ok, maybe it's just me because I love Harry Potter so much.
Fighting/CGI/Music - I was excited in episode 1 when I saw our ML practicing his martial arts skills, the Fist Techniques. I was impressed with Leo Wu's movements and can see how much he's rehearsed. His movements are full of strength. I was cautiously optimistic that I found a good wuxia drama. Unfortunately, this is not it. The rest of the fight scenes are full of CGI and not actual fighting. The CGI is ok, nothing to write about. Music is not memorable. Well, except for the ending theme sung by X Nine. The ending theme is so upbeat and modern that it felt out of place. But then, the more I listen to it, and think about the drama about a bunch of teenagers trying to make it into the world, I start to enjoy it more. I then looked it up and realized 4 members of X Nine are the side kicks of our ML, including Sean Xiao.
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Training for mental toughness vs Abuse/Bullying - Amazing Acting
9/9/2021I see Jung Hae In, and I am there! He's the main reason why I watch D.P., as such drama is usually not my cup of tea. Jung Hae In does not disappoint. His acting here might be his best yet. As much as I love seeing his adorable smile and his soft/romantic roles, I am happy that he's taking on more serious roles like this. I hate for such a talented actor to be typecasted only in romance dramas. We have seen a glimpse of him in a military uniform in "Prison Playbook" (I strongly recommend!) and our favorite second-lead syndrome police officer in "While You Were Sleeping". This role is more serious, more gritty, and raw. He did an amazing job, esp. in Ep 6.
However, the rest of the cast shines as well. Dare I say, at times, they outshine Jung Hae In. Every single actor/actress did an amazing job, no matter how big or small their role is. The acting in Ep 5 and 6 will stay with me for a while.
I don't know anything about Korean military service, and my knowledge all comes from watching K-drama. But it seems like issues depicted here are quite similar to what the US military deals with as well (knowledge from American shows/movies as well). What is the necessary training for soldiers to be mentally tough, so that they could fight in a war? What is going overboard with inhumane treatment and bullying? This drama tries to convey a more human side of the deserters stories. Aside from one deserter who left because of his grandmother, all others left due to mistreatment in the military. As they say in towards the end of the drama, someone got to do something about it.
One criticism - how could these guys be so beaten up and yet they don't die, and can get back up time and time again to run and chase? Isn't that a little too unrealistic? I guess they need to show all the violence and can't kill off anyone.
This drama is not for everyone. There is no romance. It's full of blood and hitting and abuse. But it's a great drama.
p.s. Oh.. don't miss out on the little epilogue in Ep 6, after the first song was played at the end.
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This review may contain spoilers
Everyone Frames WeiYoung + Beautiful Shades of Blue
8/22/2021I really want to like this drama more and I am rounding this up to 8.5 (I debated to keep it at an 8). However, the repeated framing and dragging of the show prevented me from doing so. If this drama is about 40-45 episodes long instead of 54, the pacing would be a lot better. It has all the right ingredients: good general plot, great acting and characters (love strong, smart leads), beautiful costumes, decent background music and songs.
Negatives:
1 . Repeated Framing - The show is basically someone framed WeiYoung and tried to kill her, then she got out of the crisis due to her own wit or saving from others, then repeat again and again. I was bored from Ep 20-30 and lost my attention. It's so predictable that it's not fun anymore. It's unfortunate because I really like the general plot of the drama, but the pacing was off. This is my biggest critique of the show and why I did not rate it an 8.5, since I am judging it against other big historical drama.
2. Plot Holes/Plot - The writing is not very tight. There are also lots of convenient eaves dropping throughout the show by the villains. There are also some illogical/impractical plot holes and I noted down two incidents but there are more: 1) ChangLe tried to burn down the lantern shop but how could she walk in without anyone noticing? Where's the shop owner? Was TuoBaJun (ML) really so far away that he didn't notice anything until the store was half-way burnt down? 2) When WeiYoung (FL) and TaoBaoYu (2ML) were stuck in the secret room, why didn't FL shout out the location of the secret ring to open the door to ML? They apparently could listen through the wall/door with no problem. 3) How come all the doors of the rooms in the Li family are see through? Everyone can hear your secrets!! There's no privacy!!!
Positives:
1. Acting - I enjoy the acting by all cast members. Our main leads and secondary leads are great. You can feel their love and obsession, their pain and evilness. This drama has a large supporting cast and no matter they are veterans or the younger actors, they are did a pretty good job.
2. Romance - One minor criticism I have is that I want to see more scenes and romantic development between ML and FL before they officially fall in love. Their love story is so strong, romantic and heartbreaking that I wanted a stronger foundation or evidence. Having said that, I love their relationship - their undying love and trust. I love seeing their banter and their open communication. I was pleasantly surprised that ML is quite funny and outgoing, and not the cold-on-the-outside-but-warm-on-the-inside type. You can feel the chemistry between the two leads and believe in their romance. The other romance/obsession storylines are pretty well-developed (though a little draggy). It's so sad that in a way, none of the significant relationships ended well. I am not as interested in the romance between the Little Princess+Prince and the two bodyguards.
3. Costumes - Blue is one of my favorite colors and I LOVE the different shades of blue in the costumes. You see light blue, royal blue, navy blue, indigo, dark blue, etc. Most of the time, Chinese dramas are dominated in gold/red/white in the palace, and blue/yellow/pink for the ladies. I am so happy to see that it's different here. Aside from that, their costumes, jewelry and head pieces are elaborate. Not only does the royal family have elaborate head pieces, but the ladies have beautiful hairpins and flower arrangements that match each of their outfits. I love seeing the different designs and patterns on the male characters outfits. The ladies dresses are all beautiful and multi-layered. Aside from the color palette that I enjoy in "Legend of FuYao", this is the only drama that I am so obsessed with the costumes and really pay special attention to each outfit.
4. Music - I would like to praise the use of background music in this drama that did not overpower the drama itself. I've seen too many C-dramas where the music is so loud that I couldn't hear the dialogue, or the songs are played over and over again when a romantic scene occurs. The music in this drama complements the scenes and let the acting speaks for itself without the use of music to manipulate viewers' emotions.
Overall, I like this drama. I wish it had a happier ending after what the leads have gone through, but I am satisfied with it. If I watched this drama before the many historical dramas I've watched, I might have given it a solid 8.5 or higher and be less critical.
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Thrilling and Kept me Thinking! A good mix of Romance and Mystery
“Koi wa Yami” aka “Love is Darkness” is quite a thrilling crime mystery drama for me. This is not usually my go-to genre as I am more of a romance person, but I was captivated and engaged throughout these 10 episodes. I can only write and review based on my very novice perspectives.I find “Love is Darkness” did a really good job incorporating romance into the serial killer murder mystery. I had a minor issue about the start of the romance. In true J-drama fashion, the romance happened really quickly and the FL fell hard. I was hoping for a more mature push-and-pull kind of romance with a little angst.
But as the story goes, I see that maturity in how they handle the mystery. The couple’s relationship ties into the slow reveal of the serial killer. Is it the male lead? All evidence and suspicions seem to point to him? But he IS the male lead, it can’t be him right? For most of the drama, I went back-and-forth as new evidence surfaced. I was not expecting the plot twist and what FL discovered when she finally visited ML’s apartment. I was quite surprised. But afterwards, I started to be able to guess how the story might go. There are still twists and turns all the way until the last episode, but I was not as confused! This drama also doesn’t shy away from showing graphic violence, blood and gore. Watch out!
This drama also dives into how news reporters chase after this serial killer story. It was interesting to see each reporter’s approach and style, but there are also things that I shook my head and wondered what the heck FL was doing. When did a news reporter become a police investigator? Where is that sense of danger when you know a serial killer is appearing soon? There are minor plot holes but it didn’t distract me from enjoying the drama.
The acting of the cast is pretty good. Shison Jun is so handsome that my heart melts when he smiles adorably and charismatically. However, if I am being strict about his acting, I’ve seen more experienced actors who can pivot from a smiley face to ‘that’ look in a more dramatic way. He’s still really good. But I think Kishii Yukino is fabulous. I might not like how she becomes a little lovesick girl (that’s the writing not the acting’s fault) in the early episode, but she has quite a wide range in showing different emotions. Her acting is distinct enough to show when she’s with her boyfriend, when she’s being a news reporter and when she’s going through a really hard time. 2ML and 2FL also did a good job. They are lovely characters that you really want to root for their happiness. Most of the characters are lovely, a few more eccentric than others. None annoys the heck out of me.
Overall, I had a good time watching “Love is Darkness” and would recommend this to romance lovers who don’t like pure crime thrillers. There is a good mix of romance, crime investigation, mystery, family and good friendships in just 10 episodes. If you are an experienced watcher of this genre, you might be pickier and rate this lower than me. I am happy to give this a solid 8.5 for my personal enjoyment.
Completed: 6/25/2025 - Review #595
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A well-paced and interesting inside look at Korean afterschool academies
I started “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” with no expectations at all and avoided it when it was first aired since I am not too big of a fan of noona romance. But I’m glad I watched it due to a Bingo challenge, as I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.Having the word ‘romance’ in its title probably has set up some expectations for romance-lovers to then feel a little disappointed. Although the romance is cute and sweet for an episode or so, the majority of the time, the drama focuses on the inner workings and politics within the afterschool academies/tutoring centers. If you are not interested in this subject, it’s best to not watch this drama, otherwise, you would be bored.
Luckily, I was quite interested in learning about the academies. It’s having a different look into Korea’s education system, and a different point-of-view from another Korean drama, “Sky Castle” which I thoroughly enjoyed as well. “Sky Castle” focuses on rich families getting their kids into prestigious academies and colleges. “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” focuses on the teachers and the rivalries between teachers and academies, with a much smaller emphasis on students and families. I have a feeling this drama might be more popular domestically than internationally. I also think the Korean audience understands and appreciates Korean literature and poems.
The first episode sucked me right in with an interesting conflict that shows up in the second half of the drama again and brings great tension between the characters. I like the progression and evolution of the relationship between Seo Hye Jin (FL) and Lee Jun Ho (ML). I also like how their romance evolves as well from sweet and cute to supportive and mature. The leads have great chemistry and I never felt weird watching this noona romance. Their interaction is natural, explosive when needed, and awkwardly cute as well.
Maybe because I did not binge this in one go, I find the drama well-paced with enough twists and turns to keep me interested and engaged throughout. I was rooting for Lee Jun Ho’s success with his daring and innovative ways of teaching. I was rooting and praying hard that the nerdy school teacher will remain true to his teaching ideals and not turn to the ‘dark side’. I was frustrated (but not surprised) of the downfall and am angry with the leads for how things turned out.
My favorite part is seeing three different teachers’ love for their students, wanting success for them yet going about teaching in very different ways and different ideals. My favorite scenes are the big blowups. The nerdy school teacher with FL in episode 1, the big argument of the main leads in ep 11, and finally as all three of them sit down and chat emotionally and passionately. I see where each of them is coming from, and agree with them all to a certain extent. Depending on whether you are a teacher, a student or a parent, you agree with each of them to a different degree.
I also really like the acting of the cast, both the main leads, the supporting cast and especially the veterans. I’m pleasantly surprised by So Ju Yeon’s portrayal of the confident teacher, Nam Cheong Mi. I’ve seen her in roles as high school students, and am glad to see her act as a confident and sassy 30-year old teacher.
I really don’t have any major criticisms of this drama and am quite surprised it has a rating of 7.7, which is quite low for Korean dramas. I just found the songs to be overly played, as much as I like them (the opening theme has a Beatle’s vibe to it). Other reasons for the low rating: 1) maybe the focus of the academies is too much/boring and not a popular topic, 2) maybe the romance is somewhat slow burn and not rewarding enough thus, not disappointing many, 3) maybe the downfall is too predictable, as we all know it’s going to happen sooner or later.
No matter the reason, I personally enjoy “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon”. I’ll recommend this drama if you are interested in learning more about the academies/tutoring centers, or a romance that’s a little different and evolves and matures as the series goes.
Completed: 1/19/2025 - Review #534
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Light-hearted and predictable with above-average acting and a dash of cheesiness
I was looking for a cute and fluffy rom-com, and thought “Dating Game” sounds like one. It turns out to be more of a light business romance than a fluffy romance. However, it is still a light watch. The plot is quite predictable, the game is a little cheesy but the romance is sweet.Let’s start with the Dating game app itself. I should not be surprised in this day and age that there are more and more dramas about AI, gaming and being obsessed with it. When the game “Yuka! Love Me Please” as introduced, it didn’t seem too horrible an idea, as there are many lonely people in the world. What’s cringey is actually the name of the game, “Yuka! Love Me Please”. You can’t find a better name? Luckily, Yuka-chan is adorable and our male lead, Hill, is very likable. However, seeing a bunch of guys singing and dancing too the game’s theme song at the farewell party was a little too much.
Yuka-chan continues to play a very important role in this drama. She’s like the female lead. As I said, she’s adorable and I really don’t mind Hill’s interaction with her. The drama also focuses a lot on the development of the new game. This is not a surprise, but the whole process of “missions”, fake dating and that crappy game prototype are all quite cheesy. But we need these “missions” for the two couples to get together and eventually overcome traumatic experiences and prejudices.
The two romances are different but sweet. Hill and Junji have a slower-burn romance with many sweet moments. They are the more reserved couple. Phat and Bay’s romance moves a lot faster and they are definitely the couple who are more comfortable with kisses and intimate scenes. Both couples have decent chemistry, though I wouldn’t say sizzling hot. Although the drama is not giving me a lot of cute and fluffy scenes, it does satisfy the romance lover in mind.
The best thing about this drama is for me to re-discover March (who plays Hill). Apparently I saw him in “The Sand Princess” before, but I don’t remember him at all. March is not the most handsome nor the cutest actor out there, but there’s something about him that makes me like him a lot. His acting is natural and comfortable, and the best of the cast, seeing he’s an experienced actor. But it appears this is his first BL. His partner, Mukai Koji is also an experienced (non-BL) actor in Japan. He’s mixed but definitely a lot more fluent in Japanese than Thai. When speaking Thai, he does sound like a foreigner, a little monotone with many pauses in between. His acting is not as good as March, but he seems more comfortable as the drama goes. Fluke and Judo have been BL partners for a few projects, so they are not unfamiliar with each other or the intimate scenes.
Another nice thing about this drama is the gang of lovely and supportive co-workers and family members. They are a fun bunch that offers some comic relief, but also don’t take too much screentime. Speaking of comedy, what is up with the ugly hairstyles for Fluke and Victor. The stylist also has some very interesting choices for Fluke to wear.
“Dating Game” is a simple and light-hearted drama. It’s good if you watch it in the background but as a whole, this drama is average. I didn’t rate it lower because I really enjoy March and the overall acting of the cast, and how lovely everyone is. The drama is actually longer than it should be, with a few episodes over an hour long. It does serve the purpose of helping me destress.
Completed: 4/11/2026 Review #682
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