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Great Acting, Pacing with Unexpected Twists
Completed - 5/19/2022 - 8.75When it's announced that Chen Kun and Bai Yu were going to be in a drama together, one could assume you don't have to worry about the quality of acting in "The Wind Blows From Longxi". This is a very heavy, political drama involving spies and schemes. If you had a bad experience with boring and dragged out political dramas in the past, and are still interested in this genre, DO NOT miss out on this drama.
Plot - I would not classify myself as a huge fan of this genre, as I often get bored in the middle of such politics heavy drama, e.g. "The Longest Day in Chang'an". However, with only 24 episodes, we have a very tight plot with amazing twists and turns. The pacing is the best I've seen in a historical political drama. There are schemes over schemes, lies after lies, spies everywhere trying to outsmart each other. The whole drama is very dark and serious, as it should be during war times. However, I did think to myself wishing there were a few more lighter moments (not comedy). I wanted to see more flashbacks of Chen Gong, Xun Xu and Di Yue, before they became spies. Those were the times when we saw smiles on their faces. On the other hand, yes, there are legitimate criticisms about the introduction of so many characters in the first few episodes. And yes, the summary at the end of each episode does help viewers in understanding what exactly happened. However, my biggest criticism of the drama is that, if the writing of the drama is better, do we really need to have the episode-end summary in the first place? Can't the story be written in a way that's less confusing for the audience, who has no prior knowledge of those historic times, and not be confused by the barrage of characters?
Acting - As I mentioned earlier, you really don't need to question the quality of acting in this drama. Not just because of Chen Kun and Bai Yu, but also all of the supporting cast. No matter how small or big the part is, everyone was excellent. And yes, Angelbaby wasn't bad either, though her part is small. In the last episode when Cheng Gong (Chen Kun) and Xun Xu (Bai Yu) had the confrontation heart-to-heart talk, I couldn't help but cry with Xun Xu.
Friendships/Relationships - The friendship between Cheng Gong and Xun Xu is on a different level. They understand and trust each other. There are many times in this drama where each could have questioned the motive and sincerity of actions. They could not be honest due to the nature of the business, but deep down they trust each other and use their brains to arrive at the correct conclusion. I wish we have more scenes with the two of them together. On the other hand, even though General Li and Prime Minister Zhuge seem like enemies, they are both loyal servants to the emperor. They just have different ideologies, motivations and strategies on what's best for the kingdom.
Production Quality - This is not a palace drama so we don't have beautiful set designs and costumes. These are turbulent times and everything felt so realistic. The lighting, sets, props, houses - everything looks so real. Others commented that this drama is very dark (not enough lighting), but I personally enjoy the use of natural light from candles and lanterns. They could probably use an extra candle or two here and there. This drama may not have the beautiful cinematography as in "Luoyang" or "The Longest Day in Chang'an", but it just feels right. I also greatly enjoy the gritty fight scene towards the end between Chen Gong and Huang Yu. That was very physical but with a lot of emotions. I would have loved to see more.
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Lighter version of "Remembrance of Things Past"
Completed - 1/7/2022"Delicious Romance" is a pretty underrated drama, and probably because the cast members are not idols and not as famous. However, it's a heartwarming drama about friendship, love, career and dreams. I feel that it's a lighter and happier version of "Remembrance of Things Past" (which I strongly recommend).
I enjoy the close friendship between the three main leads. They have funny and witty banter, are open and honest with each other, even if they are criticizing each other's decisions. I believe the friendship is what attracted most people to this drama. These ladies are 30 years old and are facing life's challenges as 30-year-old women in China. It's not surprising the following topics/challenges are covered in this drama:
1. Family and Society Prejudice against single, unmarried women.
2. Prejudice of divorced women
3. Sexual harassment and inequality treatment at work
4. Boss and Subordinate vs. romantic partner relationship
5. Stable and steady job vs. following your dream to unchartered territory
6. Income and Status inequality
This is a very short drama, only 20 episodes long at about 30 minutes each. The pace is fast and I was not bored at all. I quite enjoy the comedy inserted in the drama to deal with some of the heavier topics. I feel that the drama does a good job in introducing all three leads and show us their stories and personalities. I like them all and feel for them when they are faced with challenges. They each have their own flaws, but I root for them.
On the other hand, I feel the romance storylines are under-developed. I'd like to see more between Liu Jing and Jiang Shan Mu and how they fall in love, esp. from JSM. I also want to see a little more about the resolution between Xia Meng and Lu Bin at the end. As for Fang Xin and Zhang Ting, I want to see more of them after they get together. Because the drama is quite short, there isn't enough time for all, in addition to the other plots.
I also like:
- Xia Meng critiquing all the tropes and cliches in rom-coms.
- Jiang Shan Mu and his daughter's relationship - she is one smart cookie
- the funny drama shooting scene with the concubines
- first drag show I've seen in C-dramaland
Overall, I enjoy this very binge-able drama. It might not be as good as "Remembrance of Things Past", but it's an easy and enjoyable watch. I recommend this to those who like dramas of women-centric friendship and their life's challenges/decisions.
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One of the better High School BL Dramas - cute and sweet
Completed - 12/18/2021I can see why this drama has so many good reviews. It's a somewhat realistic high school BL drama with a lot of cute and fluffy content. It's really short that you can binge watch in a few hours. It's a good palate cleanser in between more serious dramas. Let's start with what I don't like about this drama.
What I don't Like:
1. Over-dramatic acting - This is personal taste as I don't usually enjoy the over-dramatic manga/anime style of live acting. I felt that our male lead, Aoki, is a little too much and I get annoyed with him at times. I understand he's made out to be a contrast to our other male lead, Ida, who is a little more serious.
2. Repetitive doubting - For such a short drama, Aoki doubted his relationship with Ida too much. After his confession and they started "dating", every episode following that, he's been questioning whether Ida likes him or not, or if Ida really wants to date him. I understand the uncertainty but it feels repetitive after a while.
What I Like:
1. Ida - I enjoy Ida's character. It's nice to see a quieter and more serious character that is not the traditional cold and mean male lead. He's just different and expresses himself different. He's serious in considering his answer and cares about others. I enjoy watching his slow discovery and realization that he does like Aida. I like how he protects Aoki through quiet actions.
2. Ida + Aoki - They do make a very cute couple. Their contrast in personality makes for a very enjoying and fun experience (albeit the Aoki's overacting). You can't help but smile when you see the together and they have great chemistry.
3. Supportive Friends - How nice it is to have such supportive friends of their relationship. It's a stress-free drama where you don't have to worry about jealous and mean-spirited friends.
4. Realistic Concerns - Even though this is a sweet and fluffy drama, it also addresses the issues facing a young same-sex couple, esp. a couple who never thought they could be attracted to someone of the same sex. Aoki is concerned about others knowing they are together and that is very real, not just in high school but in life. We have a teacher who is conservative and doesn't know how to deal with the knowledge of Aoki being with Ida. All these issues were handled well in the drama.
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Great Pacing, Excellent Acting, Smart + Badass FL
Completed - 11/29/2021"The Story of Yanxi" is one of those dramas that are universally praised and one should definitely check out if you enjoy historical dramas, esp. a fan of harem. I hesitated because it's 70-episode long, and the fear that it's going to drag prevented me from watching this for a long time. I am also not a big fan of harem. However, I am pleased to inform you that it has great pacing and it's not draggy at all. At times, I feel like some events actually resolve rather too quickly.
I recommend this drama for those who enjoy:
1) Historical dramas, esp. with real historical figures
2) Harem - concubines fighting for the emperor's affection and power
3) Strong and Smart characters
4) Qing Dynasty, esp. if you don't mind the bald hairstyle - took me a little bit to get used to it.
5) Revenge and Scheming
Plot - The big overall plot is about FL's investigation and seeking revenge for her sister's death. Through her journey of revenge, she entered the Forbidden City and caused all kinds of trouble. Since the drama is based on real historical figures, if you want spoilers, you can go to Wikipedia and find out what happened to most of the characters. I did look it up and though I was somewhat spoiled on some things, I also find comfort in knowing. There are many events and schemes throughout the drama by many characters. Because of this, the drama does not feel draggy at all. It's one thing after another.
Wei Ying Luo (FL)/Wu Jin Yan - This is my first drama of Wu Jin Yan's. For some reason (and it's very personal), I have a hard time liking her portrayal of Ying Luo. Ying Luo is everyone's favorite heroine. She is smart, funny, brave, loyal, cunning and ruthless. She's a strong badass character that doesn't back off and won't forget how you treat her, good or bad. But in the beginning, I found Wu Jin Yan overacted a little bit when she's intentionally trying to act cute or innocent. But once the character matured, I believed in her much more.
Ying Luo + Fu Heng Romance - This first love is sweet and loyal. Who doesn't want a man like Fu Heng. He is the ideal, dream man who is handsome, gentle, caring and understanding. Ying Luo and Fu Heng are soulmates. They understand each other and know how to support each other silently. However, I don't think there are enough scenes between the two in the beginning to make me believe that Fu Heng has fallen so madly in love with Ying Luo.
Ying Luo + Emperor Romance - This romance is much more interesting, from enemies-to-lovers, and I feel a lot more chemistry between these two, than Ying Luo with Fu Heng. I enjoy their arguments and threats. They are very similar people and match very well intellectually. They understand each other's actions and unspoken words.
Ying Luo + Empress Rong Yin Sismance - What a lovely sismance these two women have. They are so different, yet they are able to form such a strong bond. With a drama full of scheming between women, it's so nice to see a healthy and wonderful female friendship/mentorship between these two. Empress Rong Yin is one of my favorite characters and one of the saddest.
Acting - Definitely amazing acting all around. The "villains" are great and grey. You hate them (looking at you Yuan Chun Wang) but you also feel for them because they all have a background stories that are heartbreaking. I am not a big fan of the harem, so all the cat fights aren't my cup of tea, but I still enjoy this drama, and it's due to the acting of everyone. Each concubine has her own distinct personality and that makes it easier to distinguish who's who.
Production - big time production with beautiful Qing costumes for male and female characters. It did take me a little bit to get used to the bald hairdos of the guys, and not everyone looks good with it. Luckily, I do find our two male leads (Nie Yuan and Xu Kai) look quite handsome with the Qing style. The women have beautiful costumes, jewelry and accessories. The sets look grand and real. I am no historian, so I don't know whether everything is historically accurate, but I enjoy the visuals.
Other Observations:
1) Xu Kai - one of his earlier dramas. He did well enough, but not as good as compared to the veterans.
2) I've seen Charmaine Sheh in HK dramas when I was young. Wow..her acting has come a long way. She's amazing in this drama.
3) I've seen Qin Lan in "Rational Life" and found her absolutely stunning. She's beautiful here as well and such great acting. Very different compared to Charmaine Sheh but just as good.
4) I found Yuan Chun Wang (played by Wang Mao Lei) really creepy, like stalker-ish creepy especially his evil voice.
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Amazing and Talented Young Cast, but the Storytelling couldn't keep up with them.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75In the early episodes of “Taste”, it reminded me of another K-drama, “Celebrity”. Set in high school, teenager Bambi has always wanted to be popular and famous. But no matter how much makeup she puts on or tries to distinguish herself, nothing is working for her.
This is until she becomes the Princess of Trash, and with this viral fame befriended a group of rich and popular kids. You know the drill, her eyes are really open now into a world she’s not familiar with. She wants to not only stay there but climb to the top.
I binged through the first 4 episodes of “Taste” easily. We are slowly introduced to the dynamics and the background of the teenagers. We also follow the initial steps Bambi took to distinguish herself. You may not agree with her ways, but you can’t deny her courage and persistence in achieving her dreams. However, the second half of the drama falters. It became too melodramatic and lost the initial fun. The pacing also slows down. It’s already a very short drama, yet these 8 episodes feel very long. “Taste” was unable to find the balance in the latter half when it dived into the consequences of actions. The tone shifts understandably as it should be, but the execution is where I have trouble with. Of course, it also could be because I was very tired after work, and I just couldn’t focus more on the serious stories.
I actually like all the characters, though not all are saints. They are grey and interesting. I wish the drama would be longer so that it can develop the relationships and friendships between them better. At times, things seem to move really fast, and at times, it has no development but harps on the same tune. I want to know more about the friendship between Pure and Namkhang instead of just a couple flashbacks. I want to know more about Tokyo and his boyfriend. I want to know more about Bambi and Mhong, similarly I want more than just flashbacks. I want a little more development between Diesel and Dream when they were gaming, since after they met in-person, all things happened too fast. So much is being glossed over with a couple flashbacks here and there.
On the other hand, I think the major strength of this drama is the incredible and talented young actors and actresses. I have to say, I am incredibly impressed. Before watching “Taste”, I think I only recognized Phuwin and Charlette (I might have seen the rest in other roles that I don’t remember). I’ve seen Phuwin in a few dramas before and was very surprised to see that he can really act. I’ve seen Charlette in “Bangkok Blossom” and already knew she could act. But I have to say, she was more amazing in “Bangkok Blossom” due to her character, but she’s good in “Taste” as well. Mabelz as our female lead was amazing. Her big eyes are mesmerizing. I have to say she was a big surprise because as I went through her drama list, this is only her second drama and first main role. Oh and I discovered the cute patootie, Tony Anthony. He’s the sweetest guy in the whole drama, and he’s just so adorable. LOL. The rest of the supporting cast is awesome as well and they are all very charismatic. What a talented cast!
This is not a cheap production. You can see there’s some money poured into the drama with beautiful costumes, hair and makeup, lighting and sets. I guess they make good use of the money they get from all the advertisements. Unfortunately, I was unable to find good English subs for this drama. I watched the second half with very poor AI-translation and that’s not helping when I already was having a hard time enjoying the last few episodes
“Taste” has the potential to be a much better drama especially with such a talented cast. It has the ingredients of very interesting characters but does not have enough time to develop them all. This could easily be a 12 to 14-episode drama with better developed stories and pacing. I am disappointed to not rate this higher because I did have a hard time watching the last few episodes. It’s not a bad drama, but the first few episodes raised my expectations and I was disappointed. I was debating a 7.5 or 8.0 rating for a long time. I am going to settle with 7.75 (rounding up to 8.0) because I like the cast so much.
Completed: 7/18/2025 Review #604
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I shake my head and roll my eyes throughout the drama - Messy and Too much going on
If this were a full-length drama, I would have given this a less than 5 rating. I am going to be a little more forgiving as this is a low budget drama. But this drama still cannot be compared to another web drama, “Provoke”. “Provoke” is so much better.The plot here is ridiculous and full of plot holes and unrealistic ‘twists’. They try to jam too many things into this short drama. I think a fake/contract marriage + enemies-to-lovers + revenge should be more than enough. But no, they added politics. The acting is decent, and the leads are a good-looking pair. The chemistry is pretty good in the beginning but the leads got together way too early and then the chemistry is gone. We do have a couple (not enough) shirtless hot abs scenes, but not passionate or good kisses (FL needs to work harder). The cinematography and production value aren’t that great, more on par with “Maid’s Revenge”. I am blinded by the super bright/white backlighting and camera flashes.
I can’t help but shake my head and roll my eyes when watching this. The good-looking male lead and the pretty female lead are not enough for me to recommend this drama. I have to force myself to finish watching. I enjoy watching this LESS than “Maid’s Revenge”, even though it’s about the same quality. So, I feel I need to rate “My Everlasting Bride” a 6.5 and not a 7.0.
Completed: 9/19/2023 - Review #356
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Excellent development of the Brotherhood and Interesting Mysterious Cases. Love Cheng Yi!
Amidst a sea of not-so-good romantic xianxias and period dramas, “Mysterious Lotus Casebook '' is a breath of fresh air. Despite being a romance junkie, the brotherhood between our three main characters reminded me that I don’t always need romance in a drama. This drama has excellent casting, acting, pacing, storytelling with interesting mysterious cases and some pretty good action scenes.Casting/Acting
Isn’t it nice to cast actors who play characters their age and act their age? In the drama, Li Lian Hua and Di Fei Sheng are both in their early 30s, and they are played by Cheng Yi (33) and Xiao Shu Yao (35). Joseph Zeng (25) plays a younger Fan Duo Bing who is in his 20s. Just because of this, the drama gets a big thumbs up from me. The three male leads act their age and exudes the necessary aura of either someone wise or inexperienced. They are really well-casted and I can’t imagine other actors playing these roles. I have to say I am very impressed with Chen Yi. We have all seen him spitting blood (he does that in this drama as well) and playing the angsty romantic male lead. Who knew he could play a sly and sarcastic fallen hero so well! Xiao Shun Yao’s tall frame and broad shoulders exude that cold brutalness and reminded me a little of his gray character in “The Blue Whispers”. Joseph Zeng’s big eyes brought out the youthfulness and inexperience of Fang Duo Bing. “Mysterious Lotus Casebook” has a large supporting cast of veterans and younger actors. No one stands out like a sore thumb and no character irritates or annoys me. I quite like the female villain and found her beautiful and manic!
Mysterious Cases
There are several mysterious cases and they all contribute to the bigger plot/mystery of the drama. I like that they are not episodic and are allowed enough time to develop and to be solved. The cases are interesting to me, more so than those in “Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty”. Although I was never anxious enough to be at the edge of my seat, they generally keep me engaged. There are so many details that I can’t really not pay attention. I was dozing off (not the drama’s fault, I was just tired) and had to rewind the scenes as I realized I was missing pieces of information to follow along. I also enjoy the mid-episode graphics and follow along the Lotus Tower to different locations. I realized I didn’t even take that many notes for my reviews while watching, because I was following along.
The Brotherhood
Excellent! It was so much fun seeing how the friendship develops between the three male characters. Their scenes are sprinkled with humor (and not second-hand embarrassment humor), thoughtful/caring conversations and understanding of each other’s words and actions. It is quite beautiful to see how each relationship continues to build throughout the drama - from strangers, idol, enemies to friends, frenemies, and soulmates.
Romance
Don’t watch this drama for romance because you will be sorely disappointed. I am actually fine with the small romantic plot of Li Xiang Yi and his ex-girlfriend, Di Fei Sheng and the obsessed villain, and even the very small one of Fan Duo Bing and the princess. But having Su Xiao Yong’s affection for Li Lian Hua is unnecessary. She has such a small role that it seems like her sole existence is to do household chores, be an interpreter and grandfather’s messenger, and act as a medical assistant to get help from a doctor. There are no lovey-dovey cute scenes and no skinship at all. But you know what, you really don’t need any big romance plot because there’s enough to keep you engaged.
Action Scenes
There are enough action scenes scattered throughout the drama to keep us wuxia fans satiated. I am glad the drama does not skim out on the big fight with the villains in the end. The action scenes are pretty good, but not to the traditional wuxia standards like in “Side Story of Fox Volant”. I wanted more close combat sword fighting scenes, instead of people getting thrown across the room, with a palm push or a sword swing. I want to especially commend Chen Yi. I never realized what a beautiful fighter he is. There are actors who fight hard and have the physique to do so. There are others who fight like they are dancing or not know what to do with a sword. But Chen Yi’s fight scenes are beautiful to watch. He has a skinnier frame and fights like he’s floating in the air (great wire work from him!) yet he doesn’t fight weakly. It’s a very nice combination of elegance and quiet strength.
Production Quality
It’s so great that the three main male leads are dubbing themselves. Though not often, I do think there are some live recordings from Chen Yi. But the supporting cast seems to all be dubbed by voice actors. The production quality is pretty decent. The costumes, sets, props and ornaments all look decent (not exquisite). CGI and music/songs are minimal. I don’t actually remember any songs played. There’s a dance performed by a male dancer/actor during one of the cases, and that performance is unique and beautifully danced.
Overall, I strongly recommend this drama, especially if you enjoy mysterious cases and are fans of the three male leads. I really don’t have any major criticism of the drama. I liked Chen Yi when he was in “Love and Redemption” but I think I became a fan after his role here in “Mysterious Lotus Casebook”.
Completed: 8/13/2023 - Review #339
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A good but not great drama that is more political than wuxia.
Completed - 5/18/2022"Who Rules The World" was my most anticipated drama in 2022 because I am a fan of Yang Yang, Zhou LuSi and wuxia dramas. Though I wouldn't say the drama exceeded my high expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part. At first glance, this seems to be a wuxia drama (or it's advertised as such), but it's actually more political.
What I Enjoy:
1. Smart Characters - It's rare to find a drama where almost all the main characters are smart and strong (emotionally and physically) from beginning to the end. Our Black (Hei Feng Xi) and White (Bai Feng Xi) lead characters are established and well-known martial artists in the pugilistic world. We don't have to wait for them to grow stronger throughout the drama. They are already two of the most powerful people. This creates an interesting dynamic between the two that is fun to watch as they compete and fall in love. We also have a strong supporting cast in Feng Qi Wu (badass female general), Huang Chao (intelligent and cunning crown prince), and Yu Wu Yuan (the two-faced Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the drama). No one needs to be saved all the time, and no one becomes dumb all of a sudden. I wish there are more dramas out there with such strong and intelligent characters.
2. Mature Main Romance - It's fun to see our leads bicker all the time, yet slowly fall in love. I quite enjoy watching our ML being the smartest cookie in the show, yet so clueless when it comes to courting our FL. A shy and embarrassed Yang Yang is a treat. This is a romance without misunderstandings, break-ups, or evil unrequited love rivals. Our leads love, support, and trust each other. A comfortable romance to watch and one to die for.
3. Costumes/Styling - I am usually not a big fan of the bun hairstyle for the male characters in historical dramas. But in this drama, I would say almost all of the guys look pretty dashing in their costumes. I think Yang Yang looks the best when he's ill with his hair down. He even looks great with white hair! Zhao LuSi is made for historical dramas. She is so beautiful here and her particular hairstyle as Bai Feng Xi suits her so well. All the ladies have beautiful dresses and hair accessories. Nothing is too overdone, but just natural and complementary. I also like how they color coordinated ML and FL's costumes in many scenes when they are together.
4. Acting - Though many criticize Yang Yang's acting and his role selection, I do feel that his role here provided him the ability to be cool, sweet, romantic, serious and heartbroken. He might not be as amazing as he was in "Glory of Special Forces", but he's not bad either. He's great in Ep 28 - heartbreaking palace scene with the emperor. Zhou LuSi can also be typecasted into the cute female lead. Similar to Yang Yang, her role here also provided her an opportunity to show the different sides of Bai Feng Xi - from the carefree girl, to the elegant queen, and finally as a commanding ruler and soldier. The rest of the supporting cast is pretty good as well.
What I have mixed feelings about:
1. Leads Chemistry - For some reason, I don't feel that Yang Yang and Zhao LuSi have amazing chemistry in this drama. They seem like good friends or siblings. Maybe because their romance is so calming and understanding? There's no sizzle, no longing, no real heartbreak or super fluffy moments? Perhaps that's why I am not feeling it quite as much, even though they have some romantic, fun bickering and cute moments.
2. Fight Scenes - I was quite happy with the first few episodes of the drama. It was so fun to see FL fighting with that long ribbon. The fan that ML uses might not be as entertaining but the fight scenes are pretty good with no slow motion movement or posing. But the number of fight scenes decreases throughout the drama when the plot becomes more political. The few fight scenes that we got are short and not well-done at all. The last two big fight scenes in ep 39 and 40 - war battles and the final one in the palace - are just actors flying here and there with very little actual fighting.
3. Sets/Props/Lighting - This is a very subjective category and it probably only bothers me. I am expecting a pretty decent, if not big, budget production where money could be spent on props and sets. For some reason, it was irritating me throughout the show to see 'fake' sets and props. The color of the furniture/decorations and inside the palace don't seem right, compared to other historical dramas or similar caliber, such as "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse". I am not expecting the quality of "The Rebel Princess" but still, something is off and it bothers me. Another area that bugs me is the lighting of the drama. I am not expecting awesome lighting or cinematography like in "Luoyang" or "The Longest Day in Chang'an", but the drama could use more candles and lanterns for NIGHT scenes, instead of bright light from the window or artificial lighting. On the positive side, there are many beautiful aerial shots over different kingdoms.
4. Pacing - I would have placed this in the "What I Like" category if not for the last few episodes. For most of the drama, the pacing is really good and the story moves along smoothly. I was not bored and the drama kept my attention for the most part. However, in the last 5 episodes or so, there are many war battle scenes. I get confused about the city names and the repeated back-and-forth advancing and retreating, making these episodes feel rushed. I think the two time skips also affected the pacing as well.
Other Random Observations:
1. No one commented that the eldest prince (ML's older brother) can walk again?
2. Songs are not overplayed in this drama.
3. Does anyone find Zhao Lu Si's weirdly-shaped eyebrows distracting? No? Maybe it's just me. LOL
4. Where did teenage Han Pu find ingredients to make drugs in the war zone?
5. It's cool to see the soldiers waving the flags in a battle to communicate war strategies.
6. CGI is not good.
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Beautiful yet Pretentious; Great character development but poor plot writing
“Fangs of Fortune” is no doubt the product of director Edward Guo. I enjoyed his other drama “My Journey to Love” so much that I wish I could feel the same about “Fangs of Fortune”. Unfortunately, just having a good-looking cast and beautiful cinematography are not enough for me.What I Like:
1. Characters
The main reason I am not rating this drama lower than 8.0 is because of the characters. I like each of them, main cast, supporting cast and guest roles. Each character’s story is unique and I had a good time getting to know them and following their journey of growth. They are interesting individually and together as a group. “Fangs of Fortune” is able to make me care about each of them and their stories touched me.
2. Acting
I am happy to see a much-improved Neo Hou. He is able to convey more than just a blank pretty face. I am most impressed by Tian Jia Rui. This is only his second drama after “My Journey to You” and he has so much potential. Chen Du Ling is fine. Cheng Xiao improved from her blank look in “Falling into Your Smile”. The rest of the cast also did an admirable job and I don’t really dislike anyone’s acting.
3. Cinematography
Edward Guo’s signature beautiful cinematography and camera angles make every actor and actress look good. Screenshots of this drama flooded the Feeds with many posts throughout the airing and after the completion of the drama. But…..(to be continued below)
4. OST
This drama boasts a huge soundtrack of beautiful songs. I enjoy them all, especially ‘Spring Breeze Does Not Ask’ 春风不问 and ‘Broken-Tailed Bird’《斷尾鳥》. However…. (to be continued below)
5. Production Value
I love everyone’s creative, unique and beautiful hairstyles, costumes and accessories. I also like the use of natural lighting and the realistic sets in the indoor scenes. The fight choreography is unique and the actors did a great job with their wire work and moves. It does a great job in using Chen Xiao’s dance background in giving her excellent moves and she did not disappoint.
What I have Mixed Feelings and Don’t Like:
1. Slowness
This drama is SLLOOOWW. The characters talk slowly, they move slowly and the pace is slow. This could have been a 30-episode drama (instead of 34) if people would just walk and talk at normal speed. The last episode is a waste of time. Everything could be told in 15 minutes. What pisses me off the most (my personal pet peeve) is characters standing around during important battle scenes. The good guys would be talking amongst themselves or crying or staring at each other, and the villains just stood there waiting. I just want to shout at my screen for them to move or do something! So much time is wasted and it doesn’t make sense!
2. Plot Holes
There are so many plot holes in this drama. Actions that don’t always make sense. Why parade a suspected murderer in front of a crowd to be easily recognized and then humiliated? If you knew you were the cause of a pandemic, why not kill yourself sooner? You already knew the solution! There are powerful demons and genius human beings yet you can’t detect someone is hiding around the corner eavesdropping? I thought you could smell their scent from a mile away! Plot logic becomes secondary (or sacrificed) when the drama focuses so much on the characters and making them look good. A good drama must be able to balance both plot and character development. Even if you can’t balance it well, it can’t be so lopsided.
3. Close-up/Camera angles
I complimented on how beautiful this drama is. But if you repeatedly show me a close-up look of a pair of attractive eyes every 5 minutes, it becomes really pretentious and fake. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed but if you give me the slow-mo version of it, it interrupts the flow and the excitement. I don’t need to see them posing when fighting. This drama also loves the fog and wind machines.
4. Non-stop Music
I also complimented the OST, but gosh, the music is overplayed. Song after song, music after music. It doesn’t allow the viewer to decide how to feel in silence, but manipulates my feelings with the non-stop music. I counted one scene (one conversation between the leads) when 2 songs + 2 more instrumental music were played non-stop! At times, the music is so loud that I could barely hear what the actors are saying. I really don’t need the fight song being played at every single battle, no matter how cool it is.
5. Romance
Disappointing main romance. I enjoy the initial bickering between Zhao Yuan Zhou and Wen Xiao. A battle of wits and sarcasm! But then, not much happened and not enough chemistry or longing looks. It was boring. I had more fun watching the guest roles suffer in their forbidden love than or sad romance than the main leads.
OK, if you are a fan, don’t hate me. Go back and read what I like before throwing stones at me. LOL🤣 I will still recommend "Fangs of Fortune" because it’s a well-acted darker story with a good-looking cast, beautiful cinematography and likable characters. If you are a big fan of character development, you will enjoy this. But if you are like me and can’t stop your brain from noticing plot holes and things you don’t like, you might have a harder time enjoying this.
Completed: 11/27/2024 - Review #521
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Started well with a cute love story but ended with rushed cliches.
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25“Ikinari Kon” aka “Sudden Marriage” started off so well. Despite being a little predictable, it was light and easy for the first ¾ of the drama. The female lead, Mao, though shy, is not a pushover. I am so glad she would speak up and put people in their places (in a nice way). Male lead, Hajime, is a little pushy, clingy and stalkerish to start, but he grows on me. He’s a tall and good-looking guy but that hairstyle makes him look so old. I might be in the minority of not liking that height difference. However, the leads have good chemistry and I enjoy all the scenes they are in together.
Unfortunately, things went downhill in the last few episodes. I have coined this drama, ‘Marriage of Coincidences’. I am fine with one or two coincidences to make it seem like the leads are destined to be together. But, 3, 4, 5 times? That’s a little too intentional and fake. The drama also gets all tropey when ML’s father was introduced and the whole business plot was introduced. There’s no way Hajime disappears for a week with no contact when he’s been so in love and clingy. It doesn’t matter if your cell phone is stolen, broken, or evaporated, it’s not hard to still give your girl a call or a text. A rom-com about a sudden marriage goes to waste into a rom-com full of cliches.
I did enjoy most of the drama despite my rant. I just wish we got more cute scenes and lovely kisses. Maybe the drama should have ended a couple episodes sooner.
Completed: 4/13/2025 - Review #565
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Smart characters scheming and fighting, while two different kinds of love blossom on the sidelines.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25Surprisingly, “Love of Nirvana” is not as romance-focused as I thought. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a love triangle that lasts for a long time, and romance is definitely present. However, it does not feel like I am watching a romance drama for 40 episodes. Instead, this drama has a strong focus on politics, fight for power, maintain power, revenge and the reveal of truths.
I am having a hard time writing down a proper review, so I am going to dump my random thoughts here:
1. It’s lovely to see smart characters in a drama. Not only are the three leads intelligent but they try to outsmart each other every step of the time.
2. I love watching them try to scheme and one up each other. They never lost their intelligence throughout the drama.
3. One love interest tries to obsessively protect and keep FL safe by his side.
4. The other love interest believes in, supports and protects behind-the-scenes, and lets her be who she wants to be.
5. It’s also lovely to see true platonic friends. No spoiled princesses or annoying jealous suitors.
6. The pacing is decent. There are a couple episodes that I was losing attention (or probably because I was tired). But for the most part, there’s enough going on to keep me invested in 40 episodes.
7. The emperor and the ‘villain’ had few but powerful scenes. Props to veteran actors!
8. Acting is pretty good overall. Landy Li is such a talented young actress. Playing against Jeremy Tsui and Allen Ren, I think she wins!
9. Unfortunately, the voices are dubbed. I can’t hear Jeremy’s sexy deep voice, or Allen’s sexy raspy voice. But it seems like Landy Li dubbed the drama herself.
10. The drama does not seem to be a high budget production. For the most part, this is not a problem and didn’t quite affect my viewing pleasure, except for the war battles towards the end of the drama.
11. Pei Yan’s obsession with Jiang Ci lasted for quite some time. But when he’s out of it, after much pain and suffering, it was great watching the trio together.
12. I was worried about the transition from hate to love for Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci, given how much Wei Zhao tried to harm her. But I feel that the transition and romance develops naturally and realistically.
13. Both Wei Zhao and Pei Yan are standup individuals and are very similar. They have burdens and tremendous responsibilities on their shoulders. They respect each other as competitors and as friends. I actually wanted to see more of their friendship and brotherhood when they are on the same side.
14. I enjoy the understated and quiet romance between Jiang Ci and Wei Zhou. There are no sweet talking or fluffy cute scenes. But the time they spent together felt so intimate and romantic. I enjoy their playful banters and witty remarks and also quiet moments of caring and concerns.
15. The revelation of what actually happened 20 years ago is quite a surprise.
16. And the ending...... I wish it was different but I am not upset.
Completed: 10/19/2024 - Review #499
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Hilarious, Good Acting and Great Chemistry - Shut down your brain to enjoy this Slapstick Comedy
In order to enjoy “Egg and Stone” or not to be disappointed, there are a few things you should know. Sometimes, It’s important to set your expectations and know what you are getting yourself into.1. This is a COMEDY first and foremost. Not just any comedy but stupid, crazy, over-the-top slapstick comedy.
2. Do not expect this to be a wuxia drama. The setting is in the pugilistic world/jiang wu, but wuxia elements are scarce and fight scenes are limited, and not very well-choreographed.
3. Romance is also a big focus, more so than mystery or investigation.
4. This is a low budget production - do not expect fancy costumes, sets or hair/make up.
5. You need to shut down your brain for some crazy fun.
If you are not OK with the above-mentioned points, then I will dissuade you from watching “Egg and Stone”. Unless you are a big fan of the actors, and are on a mission to watch every single one of their dramas.
Having said that, I lowered my expectations and waited for the right mood to watch this drama. I had a lot of fun watching it, and also laughed out loud at many moments. Of course, I rolled my eyes as well and wondered why established actors such as Xu Lu, Caesar Wu and Riley Wang signed up for such a project. Are they being blackmailed by their companies, or do they owe the director a big favor? Or maybe they just want something different and have some fun with friends?
I do applaud the actors for diving right into their roles and do not mind acting silly and ridiculous. I actually think the acting of the cast is a big strength of this drama. To be honest, there are quite a few sad and emotional scenes, and I was so touched that I actually shed a few tears. Less experienced actors might not be able to pull this off.
The drama follows the journey of female lead, Huo Xing Chen, and her dream of helping the weak in the pugilistic world. She doesn’t want to follow the traditional role of a woman, getting married and staying home. This is quite a feminist drama in a way. She was met with opposition from the men in her life at first, but she slowly persuaded them and also fell in love with someone who believed in her and supported her dream.
I enjoyed the romance between the leads quite a bit. Xu Lu and Caesar Wu have great chemistry and are so fun when they have scenes together. I like the development of their romance, not too fast and not too slow. Jiang Bu Ting has become one of my favorite male leads, especially in comedies. Not only is he good-looking, he’s smart, funny, and shy-cute. But most importantly, he’s the one who believes and persuades FL to follow her dreams. He supports her but doesn’t spoil her. He allows her to make mistakes and learn the hard way, but secretly protects her. There’s enough romance throughout the drama to keep me happy. I do wish they give me more than dead fish kisses. I’ve seen them in other dramas and they could both deliver! I blame the director.
Riley Wang really needs to pick other roles where he’s not the third wheel in a love triangle. I feel bad for him as an actor, and also the character. I was dreading the direction that his character is going, but was fine after knowing the whole backstory. The secondary romance is cute and adorable, but could have been better. Jiang Bu Ying is so dumb, cute and funny.
I think the weakness of this drama is the more serious plot. The mystery and investigation parts are not written very well, and this is mostly towards the second half of the drama. There are inconsistencies and plot holes, and a lot is told to the viewers and instead of shown. I actually got bored and was distracted.
Another weakness is the production quality. You can tell this is a low budget production. The same two songs are played all the time. The actors wear the same outfits in each scene. If you are a main character, you might have 2-4 outfits, otherwise, you wear the same thing every day. On the one hand, it’s a nice change to see actors not getting the smooth-faced, white filter treatment. You can clearly see the makeup not done perfectly or if anyone has unsmooth skin. On the other hand, in some close shots, I do wish the filter is on. Luckily, the actors dubbed their own voices. This makes the funny scenes even more fun. I think dubbing would mess with the comedic timing. However, I can’t stand the fake Cantonese-Mandarin accent of one supporting character. It bugs me quite a bit, since I speak Cantonese.
Overall, I had a lot of fun watching this drama. I can’t totally turn my brain off, thus, I can’t bring myself to give “Egg and Stone” higher than an 8.0. There are still things that bug me, but this is definitely a lot more fun than I thought. I am glad to re-discover Caesar Wu and I look forward to his future dramas. Xu Lu also surprises me and I can’t help but compare her to Li Qin in “Thousand Years for You” (Xu Lu is better). I will recommend this drama to you if you enjoy slapstick comedies and are looking for a stress-relief drama. Just shut down your brain and enjoy the craziness.
Completed: 1/14/2024 - Review #394
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A Martial Arts Lover's Dream Drama
Completed: 10/8/2022 - 8.25I have not read the novel and don’t recall the HK adaptations that I watched when I was young. So this review is strictly based on how I feel when watching “Side Story of Snow Volant” as if it’s my very first time. This drama is a martial arts/wuxia lovers’ dream.
What I Like:
Martial Arts/Fight Choreography - It’s so rare to find a wuxia drama these days that reminds you of those back in the 80s and 90s. This drama is full of creative fight choreography and extended fast-paced fighting scenes (with minimal slow motion). We are treated to fight scenes with an array of weapons - swords, darts, whips, poison powder, spears, staff, shield, etc. But I am personally most excited to see many hand-to-hand combat and fist fights. Those are the best and the most exciting, and difficult for an actor to do well. Both Qin Jun Jie and Lin Yu Shen are believable martial arts experts, wielding their swords and kicking everyone’s butts. Although Liang Jie’s fight scenes are not as impactful strength-wise, she does not look weak and is quite a badass when swinging her whip. Moreover, this is one of the few dramas where you see exciting fight scenes frequently and throughout the whole drama from start to finish.
Acting - I am a fan of Qin Jun Jie and he doesn't disappoint. He plays the role of Hu Fei really well (though he does look a little old for an 18-year old). I enjoy seeing him play the inexperienced teenager in the initial episodes and follow his growth to be a more mature and smarter hero. Lin Yu Shen’s Miao Ren Feng might have stolen some thunder from Qin Jun Jie. Miao Ren Feng is a cool but pitiful character. It does remind me of Lin Yu Shen’s role in “Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre”, which he is also a fan favorite. I personally like the character in HSADSS more than in SSOFV. However, I think it requires more out of Lin Yu Shen to act with his eyes and facial expressions. He really doesn’t have too many lines in this drama. Our two female leads met my expectations. I have always been lukewarm towards Liang Jie and Xing Fei in their previous dramas, and I like them fine here.
Original voice - I am so happy that all of the actors use their own voices and there seems to be live recording on set as well. This is such a rare experience for wuxia dramas, as most of them are dubbed, and even more rare when none of them is dubbed!
Badass female leads - We have two smart, strong, and independent women in this drama. Not only are they not damsels in distress, they are actually the ones that bail Hu Fei out most of the time. There’s no jealousy between them and it’s refreshing to see a healthy love triangle where the male lead can’t go wrong with either one of them.
What I have Mixed Feelings about:
Pacing/Side Plots - I feel that the drama focuses too much on some of the side plots. The pacing is uneven for me, and I often lose my focus when there is no fight scene. There aren't any plot twists to keep me on the edge of my seat.
* Too much time is spent on the relationship between Tian Gui Nong and Nan Lan. They have no chemistry and their arc keeps on going in circles.
* Instead, I wanted more romance or scenes with Ma Chun Hua and Fu Kang An. Even with limited screen time, I can feel their chemistry so much more than the romance between Tian Gui Non and Nan Lan.
* Feng Tian Nan + Hu Fei cat-and-mouse chase lasts too long. I keep on waiting for Feng Tian Nan to die.
* I want more scenes between Hu Fei and Miao Ren Feng. They are the most popular characters but Miao Ren Feng disappears in the second half of the drama.
* I also wanted more scenes between Hu Fei and Yuan Zi Yi. I am on Team Zi Yi!
Romance - I read about the ending and knew coming in who Hu Fei will or will not end up with. I am on Team Zi Yi because I think she’s a better match with Hu Fei. They are both great martial artists and have a strong sense of justice. The first few episodes of them causing havoc are so much fun to watch. However, I would not say they have sizzling chemistry even though I am a fan of longing looks. I believe she is Hu Fei’s one true love till the end. On the other hand, Cheng Ling Su has always felt more like a close friend or little sister. I feel for her and how much she’s done for Hu Fei, but something is also missing. I am sure Hu Fei loves her too, but not the same type of love that he has for Zi Yi. This love triangle is really not a focus of this drama and it shows.
Political talk - There’s too much political talk in this drama. I was hoping the focus is more on the pugilistic world and the different sects. Too much time is spent on the court officials and how corrupted they are.
Because I love the fight scenes so much, and also how frequent they are, I am giving this drama a generous rounded up 8.5. Surprisingly, this is only an OK watch for me and it did not prompt me to hit the “next episode” button enthusiastically. I thought I would like this a lot more.
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When duty to your family and reality Crush your dreams
Completed: 9/22/2022“The Hymn of Death” is a beautiful tragic romance when the duty to your family crushes your dreams and love. I found it more satisfying to think of this drama as a 3-hour long movie, than a short 6-episode drama. If I think of it as a movie, my expectations are lowered and I am OK with the fast-paced development of all events. But if I think of this as a drama, I might complain about how fast-paced it is. I wanted more scenes of how the leads fall in love and how reality forces them apart. Otherwise, I can’t totally be moved by their romance. I did not cry at all while watching this, and I am usually a cry baby.
Shin Hye Sun is beautiful as the female lead, Yun Shim Deok. She acted so well, both as an outspoken college student and as a mature opera singer. I wonder if Shin Hye Sun is actually fluent in Japanese, as she sounded so natural to my untrained ears. Her mouth also matches her opera-singing voice and I could feel her emotions. Lee Jong Suk did an admirable job as well as our male lead, Kim Woo Jin. I particularly enjoyed his emotional outburst towards his father, but other than that, the acting is just solid, and pales a little in comparison to Shin Hye Sun. But then, what is up with him leading his woman on the whole time? That’s not cool and such a cowardly move!
The supporting cast is a familiar bunch. I am surprised I recognized so many faces, though they all look a little old as college students. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the scenes of the troupe and seeing their fun and silly scenes together.
I love all the poems in this drama. They really add a lot of feelings and emotions to the characters. I am usually lukewarm about opera music but the songs in this drama are all beautiful. I even enjoy the opera songs, and probably because Shin Hye Sun did such a great job acting as well. I really want to be moved to tears, but that didn’t happen for me. I would still recommend this if you are looking for a short and beautiful drama about a tragic romance.
Other Random Observations:
1. I noticed this about Lee Jong Suk from previous dramas, whenever he cries, it’s always one teardrop from his right eye. 🥲
2. Male lead looks just fine after being released from prison and being beaten. Aside from a few scratches on his face, it’s like nothing happened.
3. I love all the outfits. The leads look gorgeous together.
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It takes a Village to have a Safe and Nice Flight!
Completed: 9/12/2022“Nice Flight” is a simple but educational drama about those that work at the airport - pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin attendants, ground crew, mechanics and more. This is a short and easy watch, and for the most part will put a smile on your face.
I was surprised by the amount of technical talks in the first two episodes. While introducing our male and female lead and their occupations, the drama does go into quite a lot of detail in the communication between a pilot and an air traffic controller. I don’t mind and quite like the educational aspect of this drama, but it just took me by surprise. If you do not enjoy all the technical/professional jargon, you might not like this drama as much.
The romance is simple and sweet. We have two individuals who work closely together by profession, yet have very different personalities. They are quite adorable and awkward together (my kind of cuteness). I might have wished for a more mature romance since the leads are not teenagers but professionals. I also wanted more cuteness when they’re a couple. Because the drama is so short, once they get together, we only get a few scenes of fluffiness and then we get into challenges of being in a relationship.
I enjoy seeing the character development of our female lead and her background story. Her tight bond with her grandfather is touching. We might have not seen much change of personality in our male lead, we do follow his career path and I learn a great deal about the process of being a pilot. Who knew you needed to go through full training again if you wanted to pilot a different aircraft? I didn’t but I do now!
Though the focus is on the leads, I appreciate the fact that this drama also sheds light on other important professions. “Nice Flight” stresses the importance of team work and passing the baton from one professional crew to another, in order to have a safe and successful flight. If the drama is longer, then we can learn even more about each profession.
Other Random Observations;
1. I wish to visit a gyoza restaurant like that. So many interesting and crazy gyozas!
2. Pilots must make a lot more money than air traffic controllers. Just check out the apartments that the leads are living in. Night and Day!
3. JAL must be a big sponsor. You don’t need any other product placements.
Special thanks to Windflows for subbing.
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