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Watch it if you have doubts about Yang Yang's acting

Completed - 4/29/2022 - 9.25 rating
(minor spoilers at the end of the review)

“The Glory of Special Forces” is one of the few realistic military dramas and it follows the character and career development of a young, self-centered, genius soldier, to become an outstanding team captain of the Special Forces. Just reading the synopsis, it seems like any other military story. But this drama excels in its amazing acting performance by everyone, esp. Yang Yang, and the high production value and realistic portrayal of the military. It’s not a perfect drama for me, because I have mixed feelings about the last 5 episodes which I will discuss at the end of the review with minor spoilers.

What I Enjoy:

Yang Yang - If it wasn't for Yang Yang, I would not have watched this drama. I have seen my fair share of YY dramas. He melted my heart in “Love O2O” and “You are my Glory” as the amazing boyfriend. I’ve also enjoyed his cool, calm and collected personality in “The Four” and finally a funnier side of him in “The King’s Avatar”. I understand others questioning his acting. But if you are in doubt, please watch this drama. Yang Yang is AMAZING in “The Glory of Special Forces”. You can see his usual, calm and cool self, and also the pain he endured when battling the demons of a traumatic incident, losses in life and the confusion of why doing his best is just not enough. You don’t see the idol Yang Yang anymore. I see a soldier struggling to be the best, learning to believe in his teammates and being a proud member of the Special Forces.

Plot/Pacing - The pacing of this drama is excellent. Each episode is packed with action and thrilling events. 45 episodes flew by just like that. There are many mini-climaxes throughout the drama that keeps me entertained. As we follow the character and career development of Yan Po Yue (ML), I am happy to see that there’s enough progress and setbacks. The drama also deals with PTSD after a soldier’s first killing, the death of a comrade, and survivor’s guilt. Each character’s background story is compelling and different, so you get to understand what it takes for young men and women to enter and stay in the military. I do have a few criticisms about the plot which I’ll discuss later on.

Acting/Supporting Cast/Training - There is no weak link in the supporting cast. The overall acting is amazing. I am sure this is not the only military drama where actors have to train off and on camera. But through this drama, you appreciate the actors dedication to their craft and the effort they put into making every scene believable. They walk, talk, march, salute, just like a regular soldier. For most of the drama, each soldier is in armor training or completing missions. Only a very small part of the drama is when they are just hanging out and chatting. Moreover, even the teen version of the main characters look like the adults! Good casting!

Guo Xiao Xiao - I want to single out the only female main character, Guo Xiao Xiao, played by Jiang Lu Xia. GXX is such a cool and badass sniper/soldier. I realized that Jiang Lu Xia is a martial artist and it really shows. Most of the time, actresses portrayed as soldiers still don’t act soldier-like. But not GXX. Her training, missions, and fights are so realistic that could put some male actors to shame. I also really enjoy her backstory and really sympathize with her character. I am also glad she remains a good team member/comrade. No love story. Just plain friendship.

Production Value/Fight Scenes - Not sure if the drama is sponsored by the government, but to my untrained eyes, this is one of the most realistic military dramas I’ve watched. I also recently watched “Operation: Special Warfare”, which I enjoyed, but comparatively, “The Glory of Special Forces” is definitely a more realistic portrayal. On another note, I really enjoyed all the physical fight scenes, and there are quite a few in this drama. They are hardcore fights which seemed to be shot in one frame (not piece together fake fights with wide angle shots). I like the fights here more than in some wuxia dramas. Nothing seems cheap - from settings, equipment, uniform, training and missions locations.


What I have Mixed feelings about (Minor spoilers)

I think the drama might be better off ending at episode 40 when the drug cartel storyline ended. That was one big, explosive mission and was so exciting. However, the drama continues with sending the Special Forces to the academy to be trained as leaders. I understand this is the next step of career advancement. However, after the initial reluctance and dissatisfaction to learn about new military technological advances and the importance of languages, the drama does not show us how the Special Forces eventually realize and accept all these important lessons. They are quickly sent off to the international competition. The competition should be the perfect setting for the crew to appreciate lessons learned in the academy. The episodes in the academy went completely lost and went down the drain. The only thing it did is to send one soldier home, and to introduce another elite team. Oh, and also to let Li Yi Tong to show up on screen again. I read that the drama was cut short due to censorship, and I wonder if that was why those last 5 episodes felt a little off.

In these 45 episodes, most of the time was spent on training and competitions. There are actually 2 real-life missions. One about a drug dealer in the village and the big drug cartel mission. I would have loved to see more real-life missions. Maybe those were cut as well when the episode count was reduced?


Other Observations:
1. No, there is no romance and it’s not needed. This is from someone who LOVES romance. There’s enough going on to keep me entertained.
2. Yes, there are many handsome men in uniform. Eye candies galore! LOL
3. There are few songs that complement the drama well and not overplayed.
4. Don’t watch this for Li Yi Tong. She has a small role and is definitely not the female lead.
5. I do find it annoying that Leng Jing kept on mentioning Guo Xiao Xiao is a female soldier when GXX doesn’t care.
6. I know they are Special Forces, but sometimes I feel that they need more people in the team to fight against the drug cartels.
7. All soldiers recover quite quickly from the injuries
8. They must have super, duper, powerful bulletproof vest.

Overall, this is an amazing drama. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. If you are a fan of Yang Yang, this is a must-see! If you have doubts about Yang Yang’s acting, please watch this as well.

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Impactful , Awesome Chemistry, Great Acting by Gun (Black/White)

Completed - 3/28/2022 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0

"Not Me" introduced many international viewers to Thailand's social injustices and inequality via the popularity of BL dramas. I probably would not have watched this drama if it's not a BL drama, and I am the targeted audience for such a genre - straight woman. But I am so glad that I get to watch such great drama. There hasn't been any other BL dramas that my novice brain can recall that includes serious topics as social injustices and inequality, mixed with romance. We have seen many too many high school and college dramas, good and mature ones are hard to come by.

What I Enjoy:

1. Tackling Social Issues - As mentioned, "Not Me" has a strong focus on regular citizens speaking up and fighting social and economic injustices. It discusses issues such as upper-middle class/elite privileges, evil corporation monopoly and dirty /illegal business tactics/practices, police corruption, disability rights, marriage equality, etc. Even though it doesn't go into details about all of these topics, it brought light to viewers that Thailand also struggles with these issues. I am not sure if Thailand has censorships like China, but I guess because "Not Me" does not target the government, it's free to discuss other issues. I also enjoy the discussion of 'Rule of Law' vs "Rule by Law'. There are some very intelligent discussions about this, and I appreciate that.

2. Gun's Acting - When White was first introduced and moved back to Thailand, my first impression of him was a dorky but smart college grad who looks like a high school kid. But throughout the drama, I have witnessed his transformation from dorky White to an inexperienced Black and to become very comfortable in his new identity. Gun portrays all these identities so well. You can see from his eyes how they change from persona to persona. The aura he gives out is very different as well. This is my first drama of Gun, and I was concerned initially when I see dorky White that he might not live up to the expectations. What an impressive acting range Gun showcases by playing both White and Black.

3. Off's Acting - Off might have been a little overshadowed by Gun's impressive acting, but he did a fantastic job as well. His character also provides him with many opportunities to showcase his acting ability. He switches from an impulsive & aggressive Sean, to a very smitten and totally-in-love Sean effortlessly. He also has great emotional scenes.

4. Second Half Drama + Romance - It took me a couple episodes to feel really invested in the story and the characters, as the first half covers some very serious topic. But from the middle to the second half of the drama, there is a very good mix of drama/action and romance. The pacing is great and I am totally invested in their cause, and also in their love lives. The chemistry between Black and Sean is incredible, though I have minor issue about how it all started (discussed more below). But the scenes when they are together, you can feel the sizzling chemistry and you just want them to hug and kiss (great kisses, by the way). The same goes to how Yok looks at Dan/UNAR. I can feel how he was initially attracted to the mysterious UNAR and the scenes of them together are just as awesome (though I don't like Dan's acting as much). It broke my heart towards the end of the drama with scenes between Yok and Dan at the hospital.

5. White as Black- I like how White, as an outsider, joins the group and tries to support them using more appropriate measures. Instead of just following what is instructed of him, he comes up with alternate solutions that yield much better results. I also enjoy how he matures and realizes that he's part of the problem, as someone coming from an upper-middle class family with connections to help pave his road for success.

What I don't quite Enjoy (nitpicking a little):

1. They don't look their character age - A few characters, especially Todd, looks like a high school kid dresses in his dad's clothes. He has such a young face, yet he's already a business tycoon. I find that a little hard to believe. White also looks like a high school kid instead of a college graduate when he was initially introduced. Eugene looks like a high school cheerleader, though she is really pretty and I enjoy all her dances.

2. Black/Sean falling in love - I feel that they fall in love too quickly. They were just arguing and beating each other up in one scene, and then in another they are giving each other love glances at the protest. The transition from enemies-to-lovers needs a little more development. Don't get me wrong, I love their chemistry, it just happens a little bit out of the blue.

3. Other's Acting - Because Gun and Off's acting is so great, comparatively, the other team members don't measure up to their level. I feel that Dan is the weakest link out of all the guys. When he's not crying, he seems to only have one facial expression when he's with Yok. Gram and Tod's acting is also just so-so.

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Excellent Slice-of-Life Drama but very painful to watch

Completed - 11/24/2021

Objective rating: 9.0
Subjective rating: 8.75

It is very difficult to review and rate "The Bond". Objectively speaking, this is an excellent drama. The acting is top notch - from the youngest actors to the most veteran actors. I have nothing to pick on. And because of the excellent acting of everyone, I come to hate so many of the supporting characters. I don't think I've ever hated characters from a drama this much, most notably Father Qiao. This piece of Sxxx of a father is the worst I've seen. The novel writer and the screenwriter are the same person, and I wonder if he has such a hard life that he would write something that gives me so much pain.

The drama revolves around the life of the Qiao family. The Qiao siblings grew up without a mother and their father emotionally and physically abused/neglected them. Big Brother Qiao YiCheng had to grow up fast to take care of his younger siblings. Throughout the drama, you see the hardships that each sibling has gone through from their childhood to their adult life. But the BOND between them is unbreakable. No matter how much they argue and fight with each other, they immediately drop everything to come to their sibling's rescue. And because they all suffer so much that I wish the best for each of them.

I thought of writing a little bit about each sibling's journey, but then my review will be super long and possibly very boring. Let's just say each has a very distinct personality and has amazing character growth in this drama. All of their marriages go through ups and downs. This is no fairytale, as happily-ever-after does not come easy to the Qiao family. When watching this drama, I have to pause and only watch a couple episodes a day. I cry and suffer with them, and it became intolerable to binge watch. I endured all this suffering because I pray that it has a happy ending. I wish there are more light and comedic moments in this drama, to balance out the tough moments.

Other Notes:
1. I am glad to watch another Bai Yu (Brother #1) drama after The Guardian. His acting is no joke. He's excellent in this drama.
2. This is my first drama of Zhang Wan Yi (Brother #2). I became a fan and look forward to seeing more of his dramas in the future. He's quite handsome :)
3. So glad to see Rachel Momo (Sister #3) in this very likable role. I really disliked her in "Princess Wei Young". But then, it also speaks to her great acting ability.
4. Song Zu Er (Sister #4) grew on me. I didn't like her and her character that much in the beginning, but she has the best character development in the drama. I look forward to her upcoming dramas.
5. I am so glad that the actors are using their own voices and it also sounded like live recording.

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Too long for an uneven pacing SLOW healing drama.

Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25

“Meet Yourself” is a beloved drama here on MDL and I can see why so many people are in love with it. I was hoping to love it too, but unfortunately, I only like it. I hesitated to watch this due to its rave reviews and I need time to ensure I am in the right mood to watch this drama. Objectively, this is a great drama but for my subjective rating of my personal satisfaction and enjoyment, I can only give it an. 8.25. I have two main criticisms only but they are enough to prevent me from truly enjoying the drama.


What I Like:

1. Grandma Xie - Who doesn’t love grandma??? She’s witty and funny, and it’s a ray of beautiful sunshine. I love how she defends her loved ones both verbally, physically and emotionally. I love her intelligent way of pulling strings behind the scenes to get what she wants. We need more grandmas like her!

2. Sceneries - Can’t really argue with the picturesque landscapes and relaxing sceneries in this drama. I want to visit this little village and take a long vacation as well. I really like the boarding house with the courtyard, even if it doesn’t have good soundproofing and I might fall on my face when walking down those cobblestones.

3. Acting - Great acting all around… from the youngest to the oldest. Those four child actors are amazing and I believe they use their own voices and speak the lines themselves. The main cast did not disappoint, nor the supporting cast.

4. No annoying characters -Oftentimes, dramas set in the rural areas or countryside will have annoying side characters or villagers. I actually like all the aunties and grannies in this drama. They are loud, but they are not annoying and each of them has their own personalities.

5. Chemistry - Though I think the romance is a little too slow burn, I do think once Xu Hong Dou and Xie Zhi Yao get together, they have really good chemistry. Their display of affection and skin feel natural and mature.


What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Slow Pacing - My biggest criticism is the pacing of the drama. I understand this is a healing, relaxing slice-of-life drama. I’ve seen my share of them as well. But the first 20 episodes really are slow with nothing much happening. 40 episodes for a healing drama is too much. I feel that the drama could have spent some time on the stories of the supporting cast in the first half, instead of jamming them all in the second half. There are so many interesting stories that could have been explored more instead of doing so half-heartedly.. The romance can be slow-burn, but when everything is slow, the slow burn romance feels even slower. I am a binge-watcher and I keep on falling asleep (I am also tired from work). Even though I stopped binge-watching and watched only a couple episodes a day, the drama still doesn’t hold my attention throughout. I find myself not tempted to hit the “play” button for the next episode. If I wasn’t persistent in continuing, I could have easily dropped it within the first 20 episodes.

2. Music - I actually quite like the songs in the soundtrack. BUT, they play the songs waaaay too often and too loud, and often the same songs repeatedly for many episodes.. For a healing drama in the countryside, I would have liked to have fewer songs with lyrics blasting when the actors are speaking their lines. Maybe some relaxing instrumental background music to complement the tranquility of the drama (but will I fall asleep more? Mmm….). I was quite annoyed with all the singing.


I would definitely recommend this drama if you are in the mood for a slow, healing, slice-of-life drama. It has beautiful scenery, excellent acting and a very fun supporting cast. The drama is just too slow for me. Additionally, this drama should not be compared to the Korean drama “Hometown Cha Cha Cha”. HCCC is a rom-com with annoying characters. “Meet Yourself” is totally different. Two very different genres and feel to them.


Other Random Observations:
1. FL has so many pairs of sunglasses.
2. There’s a lot of cooking and eating.
3. There are some pretty funny moments, and lovely conversations.
4. Those 4 kids warm and break my heart.
5. Ep 19 is one of my favorite episodes - the mushroom episode brought out so many different emotions.
6. Reminds me of the Taiwanese drama “A Thousand Goodnights”. Both dramas are like promotions from the local Tourism Board.



Completed: 9/12/2023 - Review #353

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Strong and Likable Characters in a Historical, Political Romance Drama

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75 (warning: long review)

I did not read the novel, so my review is based just on the drama itself. “Are You The One” covers many different topics - lies, fake marriage, business, politics, fight for the throne, amnesia and of course romance. For the most part, the drama strikes a pretty good balance. Except for the amnesia plot that’s taken a little too long (more about this below), this drama holds my attention for all 40 episodes.

“Are You The One” is a dark horse favorite for me. I came in without expectation as I was in some sort of drama funk. A lower budget production without a big blockbuster cast doesn’t attract too much attention. But the popularity of Zhang Wan Yi from “Lost You Forever” probably drives some traffic. I personally didn’t watch that drama. Instead, I really like Zhang Wan Yi in “The Bond” and that’s also what prompted me to try this drama out. Let’s start with the ‘negatives’.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Length of the Drama/Amnesia/Plot
As mentioned above, I felt that the amnesia plot lasted way too long. I was waiting for Liu Mian Tang (FL) to gain her memory back and was anticipating a big showdown and blowout. As much as I enjoy the slow development of the lead romance, I can’t wait for more to happen. The business plot was fine in the beginning, but it drags on. I was also a little unclear in the beginning about the political strife between Cui Xing Zhou (ML) and Zi Yu+party. I wonder if these factors would be the reasons why many think the drama is slow and drop it. I think 30-35 episodes would be sufficient to cover all storylines and make the pacing better.

2. Sun Yun Er
She was so badass for half of the drama. She might be obsessed with Zi Yu and did crazy things to jeopardize her original plans, but at least she was interesting to watch. In the latter half of the drama, she is sidelined to become a petty and useless puppet. She was at least a ruthless puppet before.

3. Too Perfect Leads
This point is very subjective. It could be good or bad, or maybe you don’t care. Are Cui Xing Zhou and Liu Mian Tang too perfect? They are both intelligent, courageous, loyal, have a sense of justice, good-looking, and basically are better than anyone else in the drama. Additionally, Liu Mian Tang is a business savvy woman, learns medicine and poison from books, can support in war strategy and be the perfect wife and daughter-in-law. This woman can do no wrong. Are they too perfect for you? Even though they don’t bother me that much, it’s worth noting this down.

4. Part of the Ending
The villain has been calculating, cautious, detail-oriented for so many years. Yet he was triggered to act rashly in the end due to a few angry words from ML. It seems a little uncharacteristic but it’s the end of the drama, we gotta close it out. There’s a really nicely choreographed fight scene in the end. I was enjoying it until the slow mo romantic looks happened. I then can’t take it seriously. I also don’t think that scene is necessary in the grand scheme of things. It’s more of a fan service.

5. Dubbing
This is very subjective as I am a big fan of actors using their own voices. It’s a little disappointing that Wang Chu Ran and Chang Hua Sen were both dubbed. I think the drama would be more intriguing and captivating if the lines were recorded live on scene (even if partially). The acting of the cast is pretty good, so I think being able to hear their emotions when acting would be so much better. Nevertheless, this is a lower budget production, so I shouldn’t expect too much. I think money is spent on other areas (more about this in the positives section).

6. Makeup
Also subjective here because I can’t stand the ugly white makeup on the male characters. And at times, Wang Chu Ran’s eye shadow reminds me of the racoon eyes that Luo Yun Xi has in “Till The End of the Moon”. Zhang Wan Yi also continues to look quite clean when he’s in a war battle (a few smudges here and there don’t count), or when he’s hurt and in prison. His white makeup is the most distracting, especially when he’s not ill.


What I Like:

1. Strong and Likable Characters
Despite my ‘complaints’ about the leads, they also make the audience want to root for them. Who doesn’t like a power couple? They are fun to watch when they are steps ahead of everyone. And it’s not just the main leads. The two supporting couples are also very easy to root for, especially, when they are not as perfect. They feel more real. They make mistakes but also evolve throughout the drama. With all three couples, they are likable individually but even better when pairing up to be better versions of themselves. I also like how the drama gives equal screen time to the female and male characters to have their own storylines.

2. Acting
Coming in, I wasn’t sure of Wang Chu Ran. She’s pretty and elegant. But is she capable of carrying the show on her shoulders? I think she did a pretty job and no less than her performance in “Fireworks of my Heart”. As I mentioned, I already like Zhang Wan Yi and I enjoy his portrayal of Lord Huaiyang. He’s charismatic as the lord, and lovely has a doting husband (he has a cute pouty look). Comparatively, I find Chang Hua Sen a little less charismatic as Liu Yu, but elegant and scholarly as Zi Yu. A surprise find for me is Yuan Yu Xuan’s portrayal of the timid and shy Shi Xue Ji. She is one of my favorite characters in this drama. Additionally, this drama has a large supporting cast by many veteran actors. Their acting is top notch.

3. Romance
If you are a romance lover like me, you might be pretty happy with this drama. There are 3 romance storylines and each of them is unique and special.

- Liu Mian Tang + Cui Xing Zhou - this power couple started as enemies/strangers and slowly developed feelings for each other in a fake marriage. I can’t lie that I wasn’t frustrated with the treatment of ML to FL during the amnesia plot. I think the fake identity dragged on for too long, but from a romance point of view, the hesitation can be viewed as reasonable. I also enjoy them supporting each other, being able to openly communicate their feelings for better or for worse. Their initial romance is calm and constant, and then it’s a little angsty in the middle before becoming sweet and supportive. It was a great journey.

- Shi Xue Ji + Zi Yu - we don’t see a relationship like this often in C-dramas. Political marriages are either portrayed as the couple hating/ignoring each other + a love triangle/square, or they fall in love during the process. But their relationship is different. They are not quite friends but more like partners and comrades. I hope true feelings develop in that very last scene.

- He Zhen + Marques Zhennan - they are the fun pair who bicker from start to finish. I actually think they got the short end of the stick, as their romance somewhat happened behind the scenes. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see the guy chasing after the girl and be as supportive as possible.

4. Meaningful Conversations + Implied meanings
Because the leads are quite communicative, there are many meaningful conversations throughout the drama. The drama also uses many ‘old language’ with idioms and poetry. I am not sure how they are translated in English since I was able to read Chinese subtitles. But when a drama is able to convey a secretive message with just a few words, it speaks highly of the writing of the drama or its source materials. I especially love ML’s confession to FL about how he loves all about her, and not just the adoring housewife that she was. Another favorite is the love birds analogy Shi Xue Ji told Zi Yu in persuading him to let go.

5. Costumes + Hair Accessories
I am a big fan of beautiful costumes and hair accessories. If this is not a high budget production, it’s dedicating enough money to have simple and elegant costumes for the characters. Zhang Wang Yi looks dashing in his simple attire, and only a little fancier in the latter episodes when he’s moved back to the city. Wang Chu Ran looks elegant and sophisticated with minimal makeup and hair accessories. But when needed, all the women in the palace have elaborate and not-faking hair accessories. I also appreciate the use of the hair pins in this drama. They don’t necessarily serve as a mere ornament, but contribute to important scenes and storylines.
- Hair pins are used to show the social status and hierarchy in a family
- FL’s hair pins are used as a weapon of convenience in a few scenes.
- FL’s special glow-in-the-dark hair pin was used in a couple storylines
- A 12-piece set contributed to the downfall of a character



This drama is definitely not perfect. But I think it strikes a pretty good balance in most of the topics it wants to cover. It has a strong and likable cast (ok, except one annoying auntie). The politics are not dry or boring. I would definitely recommend this to those who love romance in historical, political dramas. But if you are looking for a serious political drama, this might not satisfy you. I was tempted to give this drama a solid 9.0 when I finished it, but held back after I detailed everything in this review. Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time watching “Are You The One”.


P.s this is a long review. Thank you for reading until the end. 🙂


Completed: 9/8/2024 - Review #482

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A Drama that sticks its landing and has one of the Best Last Episodes.

When a Japanese drama obtains an 8+ MDL rating, you know it’s a good one. “Unmet: A Neurosurgeon’s Diary” is a beautiful drama telling the story and the struggles of Miyabi, as she learns to be a neurosurgeon again after her accident. This is a feel good drama that heals your soul. Miyabi is surrounded by kind people who support her, encourage her and pick her up when she’s down.

There are many meaningful conversations, thoughtful silences but also laughter and delicious-looking food!. If you are looking for a true medical drama, this might not be for you. The medical cases all have to do with the brain, afterall, Miyabi is a neurosurgeon. Each case is completed within the episode, and they are ‘common’ enough that you feel like it can happen to your, your family or your friend. Personally, episodic cases like these are a hit-or-miss. Although I don’t find the medical cases especially fascinating, I do enjoy the storytelling of the patients and how the hospital staff approach each case and collaborate.

The acting performance of Sugisaki Hana (Miyabi) and Wakaba Ryuya (Sanpei) is top notch. They are not big talkers, but you understand what they want to convey through their expressive eyes and facial expressions. The supporting cast also did a pretty good job, and really gives us more color to the drama.

Plot wise, I feel that the drama can give us more info on the car accident. The ‘villain’ part of the story is resolved rather quickly and quite anti-climatically. The ‘redemption’ story of the doctor is also taken care of swiftly. Additionally, I would love to see more of Miyabi and Sanpei’s past.

The best part of this drama is in its last episode. I was crying my eyes out as I prayed for the leads to live happily ever after. Episode 11 cemented the score of 8.5. This is one of the few dramas that actually sticks its landing and ends on a very high note.


Completed: 7/9/2024 - Review #459

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The Bachelor + The Hunger Games = The hilarious and fun Ready, Set, Love

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

My first impression of “Ready, Set, Love” is BRIGHT! The colors are so vibrant and it feels so cartoonish! This is the perfect drama to watch if you want something light, a little over-the-top and hilarious!! Is it the best drama out there? Definitely not! But it brings me joy when I need some lightheartedness in my daily life. It feels like a live action adaptation of an anime.

The plot is nothing unique and is actually quite predictable. I would describe this as a combo of the American reality TV show, “The Bachelor” plus the movie, “The Hunger Games”. We have women competing for the love and attention of 5 eligible bachelors aka Gentlemen. The ladies are thrown into ridiculous games to beat out each other, in order to win the chance to choose one of the 5 gentlemen they want to marry. Additionally, in this dystopian world, you can’t really escape the political commentary of this supposedly perfect world inside The Farm.

I really enjoy the competition part of the drama including all the hilarious characters from the Gentlemen, Ladies to the commentators. If you don’t mind over dramatic acting, this is perfect. The romance is not bad, just not quite enough for my taste. The couples are cute, but I wanted more fluffy scenes. I do appreciate the inclusion of a lesbian couple and a gay couple (just not enough screen time). On the other hand, I like the portrayal of sisterhoods between FL and her sister, and 2FL and her BFF. With only 6 episodes, the political plot and commentary might be the weaker part of the story. It’s no surprise they included this in the drama, but there is just not enough time to develop and write a satisfactory ending to that. Everything seems too easily resolved, and I was never worried that things would turn out badly for them. You can probably see from a mile away how the drama is going to end.

Nevertheless, I had a lovely time watching this. I will recommend this if you are looking for some over-the-top fun with decent acting and chemistry, a good-looking male cast (especially one who wants to show off his abs at any given chance) in very vibrant HDR colors but am OK with a simple plot.


Completed: 3/15/2024 - Review #418

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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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Lack of romantic chemistry, low production quality and repetitive plot

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.25

I really wanted to like “Fateful Love” and I thought I would. Who wouldn’t like a kickass female lead who can beat anyone up and is as physically strong and powerful as the male lead? Unfortunately, that fact alone is not enough. I anticipated that this is not a super popular drama since there’s no idol actors. This drama was filmed in 2021 but broadcasted in 2024. 3 years isn’t that bad but unfortunately, the low budget production makes this drama feel more dated than it should be. I thought Zhang Han would be able to pull in more resources as a veteran. Oh well…. I quite like the first half of the drama, especially before the music scavenger hunt. Ultimately, it failed to hold my attention for all 40 episodes and I was quite bored in the last 10 episodes.

Here is my quick rundown of likes/dislikes.

What I like:
1. A badass female lead, who complements a strong male lead.
2. A good-looking 2ML in Yao Chi, who played Xuanyuan Li Ge. His handsomeness keeps me going.
3. Creative fight choreography. Aside from a few slow motion scenes, I really enjoy and am very pleasantly surprised. The actors also do a great job in those moves.
4. It seems like, actors are really riding those horses. No fake CGI horses and I was quite impressed with Zhang Han’s horseback riding skills.
5. I like the focus on music and it’s cool to see music so prominently featured as a weapon.


What I have Mixed feelings:
1. A badass female lead who still needs saving quite a bit.
2. Looks like low quality fabric in costumes but the drama has beautiful headpieces for the women. The designs are beautiful, if only it has money. Props to the costume designers.
3. As much as I like the 2ML, it’s hard to keep on watching him trying to sacrifice himself. Where’s ML when FL needs him? He’s always a step behind.
4. The mermaid fight was hilariously BAD!
5. Acting is decent but not excellent. I was glad to see Zhu Xu Dan not playing the evil 2FL role, but her acting seems inconsistent.


What I Don’t Like:
1. I have to suspend my belief that a modern girl does not need time to adjust to the new world at all.
2. Poor dubbing and often out of sync.
3. Too many spoiled princesses
4. Not a fan of all men falling for FL and all women falling for ML. Adding to that, the women are usually jealous and evil, and the men are caring and will die/sacrifice for FL. Enough of these cliches.
5. Repetitive sabotage and trying to hurt FL becomes boring. The plot seems to run in circles in the second half.
6. Romance is not romancing. I don’t mind the slow burn, but I am not feeling the chemistry. I think Zhang Han tries his best, but Zhu Xu Dan is not feeling it.
7. What happened in the last arc with 2ML’s sudden change? I don’t think it was written and explained well.

Due to the lower production value, repetitive plot, lack of romantic chemistry and some other annoying factors, I am not going to recommend “Fateful Love”. This is very subjective as it seems like many others like it. I think there are other better quality dramas out there.



Completed: 10/4/2024 - Review #494

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Cute Main Romance but with Many half-baked and messy side stories

If I were to rate “Love by Chance” solely on the main romantic story between Pete and Ae, this would have a higher rating. Unfortunately, this drama as a whole is messy and half-baked. There are too many side storylines that were introduced but not properly developed. I call this suffering from having a second season syndrome. These half-baked plotlines might continue in the next season, but this makes the first season full of plot holes.

But I do really enjoy Pete and Ae. They are really adorable together and have great chemistry. Yes, some of their lines are quite cringey, but I can look past that. Pete and Ae are just such good guys that it’s hard not to root for them. Ae is so sweet and kind, and seeing him slowly developing feelings for Pete and trying to understand himself is the most honest way, is a breath of fresh air. Pete is shy and I was worried that I would get annoyed with him in the beginning. I am not a fan of dismissive and passive characters. Thank goodness Pete surprises in a way that, though shy, he’s honest and will speak up and communicate his feelings. Pete and Ae really have one of the healthiest BL teen romantic relationships. They are honest and communicative. They are sweet and innocent in a way, yet the drama does not shy away from showing us that they are hormonal teenagers with desires. I think in that sense, the drama did a pretty good job, BUT only with Pete an Ae.

Unfortunately, the rest of the pairings are so much more problematic. Tin and Can have the second most screen time in their enemies-to-friends/lovers romance. It has a bullying and mean start but in the end, it touches my heart and I was saddened by Tin’s experience and how their story ended at the end of season 1. But I have to sit through their repetitive and annoying banter for a long time. Then we have these half-baked stories - Pond and Chaaim, Type and his never-seen boyfriend/girlfriend, annoying Chompoo, and Pete's ex and money stolen. But the two worst storylines are Tar and Tum. Tar has gone through something horrific but their storyline is an afterthought that has nothing to do with the main plot. It’s very unfortunate that a serious plot is thrown into the drama without proper writing/execution. The other horrible storyline is Good’s experience with the teenager. What the hell is that? Came from left field and was set up so horribly with another ‘toxic’ romance.

Additionally, the acting for the whole cast is pretty below-average. I know most of them are young actors and it’s their first drama. But I can’t just ignore the fact that I cringe at their acting quite often throughout the drama. I like Perth’s portrayal of Ae the best, and he’s my favorite in the drama. Saint’s Pete was hard to watch in the first few episodes, but he got better as the drama goes on. There are also quite a few loud and annoying characters. Ae’s roommate, Pond, is loud and obnoxious. He’s a good guy, but I can only take him with small doses. The annoying high school teenage girl, Choompoo, also gets on my nerves. I can’t stand her character and her high-pitched whiny voice. Luckily, she doesn’t have that much screen time.

If you are a fan of Saint and Perth, then I would recommend this drama for you since this is their first drama. They are really cute and their story is written in a very positive way. Otherwise, I will skip this drama. I also don’t think the introduction of the other characters' story is attractive enough for me to watch season 2 to find out their ending. If I do watch it, it’s because I see Perth looking quite handsome in this supporting role in season 2.


Completed: 6/1/2024 - Review #447

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Let's talk about Sex with a lot of Sex, Heart and Chemistry.

Subjective Enjoyment Rating: 8.5

This is one of the rare dramas that I think the English title better describes the drama than the original one, at least for the international audience. “Let’s Talk About Chu” focuses on the relationships and sexual experiences of each member of the Chu family. The Chinese title (愛愛內含光) is the name of the Vlog channel of Chu Ai, and focuses on sex education and her ideals on sexual relationships. The title originates from one of the verses of a poem 「曖曖內含光」meaning those with talents and positive traits shine from within (a very loose translation). How do we look past the appearance to find that special person who is right for us?

I had a very enjoyable time watching this short drama. A lot is being covered and was done at a very fast pace. I guess one of its shortcomings is the inability to really delve into the complicated relationships and spend time exploring the backstory of each character. This is also to be expected when we only have 8 short episodes.

At first, I thought this drama is similar to the K-drama “Hit The Spot” as it also has a podcast focused on sex. “Hit the Spot” actually focuses more on the podcast than this drama’s vlog. The vlog also comes at the end of the epilogue of each episode. I watched a few of them and got bored of it. The vlogs were not done in a humorous way and I found them dry and preachy.

Luckily, the actual drama is full of love, laughter and emotional moments. The acting is great and all the characters have excellent chemistry. Ok, maybe the actual acting of the sex act could be better, but that’s totally fine as they’re not porn stars. LOL. Yes, there are many sex scenes, though nothing with full-on nudity. These scenes help tell the story and I don’t find them arbitrary or unnecessary. I like that women in this show are not afraid to talk about what they want in their sex lives. They get frustrated and are not afraid to accept the fact that they’re not happy. The drama also touched on how a past trauma can affect your view of relationships and sex.

Though I am not fully invested in all the storylines, I like most of them.

* Chu Ai and Chou Ping Ke - I enjoyed their story in the beginning. I found Kai Ko (who played Ping Ke) super adorable and hot. How come I don’t remember him being so cute in “Till We Meet Again”? I must have got distracted by the pink hair. However, Chu Ai and Ping Ke’s romance lost steam towards the second half. I think Ping Ke is way too good for Chu Ai. He should have let her grovel a little more.
* Chu Yu Sen and Lee Yueh - They are my favorite! They are such an odd pair, yet they complement each other in a way. Their story is interesting and unexpected and also with a lot of heart. I love the last intimate scene. It’s making love instead of having sex.
* Chu Wei and Lin Shi Chieh - A very realistic story about married life when the initial sparks are gone. How do you keep the romance going and keep working at it?
* Mom and Dad - Not my favorite story not because they’re older, but because it’s boring.
I love that mom is watching BL on GagaooLala but Dad has no personality. I wasn't curious enough to find out if Dad has an affair or not.

Overall, this is a quick and easy watch. It doesn’t have too much time to tell a very deep story. But it touched on issues in various stages/types of relationships.


Completed: 2/4/2024 - Review #400

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Everyday life of a Blind girl + Thai Home Cooking!

This is a recommendation from a fellow MDL’er when I was looking for an easy and light drama to watch. This definitely is one, even though the story is about a blind girl. Most dramas with a lead character with a disability focus on the challenges of everyday life. This one is no exception. However, compared to other dramas, it was not too harsh nor is the focus on really telling us how hard life is. Yes, it did touch upon that a little, but for the most part, this is a slice-of-life drama.

Female lead Taem is a very likable character. She is not overly dependent on her friends, nor is she immune to the challenges of life faced by someone who is visually impaired. Through her monologues (and writing), we learn how she goes about life as a normal person - putting on makeup, learning a new route to work, typing on her laptop (writing articles), doing laundry, ironing her clothes and most importantly, cooking. It actually is very enlightening to learn the effort she puts into every single task with the help of her very patient best friend and with lots of practice. Amongst all these everyday activities, the drama focuses on her love of cooking and how she goes about learning to do that safely.

If you are looking for romance, you will be disappointed. This is a drama about life. The main leads have a lovely friendship and they might have very positive feelings towards each other. But there is no romance. Instead, we get to know a bunch of students in the cooking class. They come from all walks of life, different age groups and socioeconomic statuses, and face different challenges in life. This is a short drama, so it can’t really give each character a lot of screentime. But I feel that I know and care about them enough, especially Boem and the housewife. I really enjoy all the food scenes. The drama showcases simple, home cooked Thai food for your friends and family.. It’s a change from gourmet foods that are usually featured in dramas. The drama is quite educational as well.

But this drama is not without fault. In the earlier episode, I think it was uncharacteristic of Taem to leave her first cooking class without notifying anyone, even if she’s upset. She or her colleagues could have easily said something to the male lead. I guess that set the plot up for the rest of the show. A few car scenes are really fake (crappy green screens). The acting of the main cast is pretty good, but those with minor roles are below average.

Overall, this is a lovely drama to watch. It feels very warm and homey. Definitely recommend it if you are looking for something easy and enjoy cooking scenes. Both leads acted well and have decent chemistry as well.

p.s. I watched this drama on Thai PBS with English subs. https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/SweetSensory/episodes/93887


Completed: 10/25/2023 - Review #370

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Can you really change your fate when given a second chance?

Completed: 9/28/2022 - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5

Choosing to watch this drama is because of Jing Chao. I’ve liked him since his role as General Fu in “Princess Silver”. I am glad that he did not disappoint and is the star of the show. The story of rebirth could be a tricky one. It could become repetitive and boring when not done right, but I think “Lost Track of Time” did a pretty decent job.

What I Like:

1. Jing Chao - Without a doubt, this drama would not be the same without Jing Chao as Mu Ze. Even though he was listed as the second male lead, he shines the brightest amongst the whole cast. He might not give me second lead syndrome in his role here (he did in “Princess Silver”) but he has a commanding presence and I can’t take my eyes off him when he’s on the screen. He has great chemistry with both the male lead and female lead. While I pity his character, I am glad that he was not portrayed as a cartoonish villain, but one who is smart and cunning.

2. Scheming Duel - I enjoy watching how Lu An Ran (FL) and Mu Ze try to outsmart each other every step of the way. When you think one of them has the upper hand, the tides change. The drama keeps me thinking if Lu An Ran really can successfully seek revenge and change the fate of everyone. I particularly enjoy the first ⅔ of the drama.

3. Brotherhood - Mu Chuan and Mu Ze’s tight bond is the best relationship in this drama, outshining all the romantic storylines. I am glad we get an extended and deeper look into their childhood life and why they become each other’s favorite person in the world in the rebirth timeline. Despite having very different personalities and goals in life, and Mu Chuan questioning his brother’s true character, I am happy with this bromance all the way till the end.

4. General Plot - Though I still don’t know why Lu An Ran was given a second chance, I enjoy how the rebirth story is told. At first, I worry about repetitiveness (like time lapse or time travel storylines) but am pleasantly surprised that the drama is able to create different storylines for different characters, though whether their fate was changed or not is the big question.


What I am have Mixed Feelings or Don’t like:

1. Main Romance - It’s unfortunate I don’t really feel the chemistry between Lu An Ran and Mu Chuan. And because of this, I am not moved by the angst and their sufferings. Mu Chuan, on paper, is the perfect guy. He’s caring, sweet, thoughtful, considerate and supportive. He doesn’t force Lu An Ran to disclose all her secrets, but patiently waits for her. I love the meaning behind the rice crop. He would make my list of Ideal Man. I am not sure if it’s because of the acting of both Xing Fei and Zhai Zi Lu, something is missing. I think both actors did a fine job, but not great. Xing Fei’s emotionless face is bland at times. Zhai Zi Lu is not animated or sweet enough. Or maybe because Jing Chao is just too good that they pale in comparison.

2. Dubbing - It’s unfortunate that none of the actors used their own voice in this drama. Everyone is dubbed by voice actors, and the voices are not well synced with how the mouths move. Most of the voices are fine, but the most annoying is the high-pitched voice of the maid, Ling Xi. Her character is already quite annoying and her dubbed voice makes it worse.

3. Production - I understand that this is not a big budget production. However, even a mid-budget production should be able to use a green screen effectively. There are scenes when the characters are in the grass fields or rice fields, and you can obviously see that the background is fake. And what is up with the fuzzy, slow motion camera work? I can understand if you’re trying to distinguish one timeline from another, but there are some regular scenes where such ‘unique’ fuzzy camerawork is not justified. The costumes and set design are of decent quality and on par with the budget. I do enjoy the songs in this drama. They are not overplayed and the music complements the scenes very well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the OST on Spotify as I really enjoy the song, 今夕何夕 by Xian Zi 弦子.

4. Inconsistent pacing and scenes - For the most part, this drama has pretty good pacing, especially the first ⅔ of the drama. But towards the end, it becomes inconsistent. At times it seems like everything happens too fast, other times, I feel that it drags. I wonder if the drama would be better if it’s only 24-26 episodes long and not 30. There are also a few scenes that are inconsistent with a character or illogical, e.g. 1) a prisoner tortured and still in possession of a dagger, 2) a cautious character disclosing somewhat confidential info to another character, 3) people not running out of a room when there’s a fire and explosion erupted but continue to roll out subsequent events.


Overall, this is a pretty decent drama and should have a higher rating than 7.7. I quite enjoy it even though the romance did not move me as much as I wanted. I am giving this a a generous 8.25 (rounding up to 8.5 because I love Jing Chao, and I want to pull the average rating up a little). I think the current ending is realistic and good enough. I don’t think we need a special episode with an alternate (unrealistic) ending.

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Great Friendships and Bromance and Character Development

Completed - 1/27/2022 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0

It's rare to see a C-drama with basically no romance, idols, or big name actors to have such a high MDL rating (8.8 at the time of this review). I have gone back-and-forth many times whether I want to watch this, since it's not really my type of drama. But the overwhelming positive reviews convinced me and I am glad I gave in. This is an excellent teen drama and not just about the game of Go, but of strong friendships, bromances and most importantly, our main lead's growth as a person.

Shi Guang (ML)'s character development is what I like best in this drama. We were first introduced to a 9-year old who is quite cute and smart. That little young actor is such a smartass that I can't help but laugh at and with him. He is actually quite mature of his age, when he sees through what Chu Ying wants from him, and that it might not be the road that he wants or is ready for. Throughout the drama, our ML has gone through enormous ups and downs. I actually find him quite annoying in the beginning as a teenager. The drama does a really good job in helping us see Shi Guang's thoughts and feelings, and the way he reacts to different situations, with the guidance of Chu Ying and his many friends. After finishing this drama and looking back at how annoying Shi Guang used to be, it's amazing how much I have grown to like him and the person he has become.

Shi Guang & Chu Ying have a great mentor/mentee relationship, in addition to being very close friends. Sometimes, it feels like Chu Ying is the father figure we never saw. It's fascinating when Chu Ying is teaching Shi Guang about chess playing, but it's also hilarious seeing how Chu Ying adapts to modern world technology and slangs so well. On the other hand, Shi Guang and Yu Liang have an 8-year rivalry. I really enjoy seeing the respective journeys of these frenemies. They have such an interesting dynamic throughout the drama. Shi Guang is really one lucky guy. He has some REALLY good friends in this drama, in addition to Chu Ying and Yu Liang. He has many supportive and caring friends in high school and in the chess club. These friends stick with him throughout his career as an amateur chess player to become a pro chess player. It's also quite amazing that I did not find any of his friends irritating or annoying.

The pacing of this drama is done well. I actually wanted more episodes to follow ML's professional career and international competitions. I don't think I've ever said that about a C-drama. I really enjoy the portrayal of the challenges in each step of ML's career. He's growing and achieving successes, and then, reality brings him back down to earth, and he has to face a new set of challenges. This makes the drama more believable, as we know even though ML could be a genius, he can't be an international champion just like that. The ups and downs in his career contribute to his personal growth. However, I do feel that the last couple episodes were a little slower and a little too much moping around. I understand why, but I don't think the drama ended strongly. Maybe that's why I wanted more episodes as it seems unfinished.

Another aspect I like about this drama is how all the actors look like real teenagers and young adults. Especially during the high school scenes, I feel like the kids are really teenagers and not actors pretending to be teenagers. They look like 'normal' people. They are not full of make-up or wearing fashionable clothing. Additionally, I like Chu Ying's transparent look. It gives a very fantasy-like feel to his existence, and that he's not just another person hanging out with ML. He is just so funny. He looks so much more handsome in ancient times without makeup though.

As someone who doesn't know anything about the game of Go. I have to say that the drama does not intend to teach me about the game. I am often lost and confused with all the moves, though they seem fascinating.

Overall, I really enjoy this drama. My gut might tell me that this is not a slam dunk 9-10 rating, but it's really quite good.

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Slow start, Excellent middle, Good finish

Completed - 1/6/2022

A sponsored, big production, "Luoyang" opens with beautiful cinematography and set designs. It introduces many characters and multiple plot lines all at once and took me a while to find my bearings. I personally find the first 10 episodes a little slow, but once the leads interact with each other more and the plot lines intersect, the pace is fast and exciting. It did slow down a little towards the end.

What I Like:

1. Plot - I am not much of a thriller/mystery watcher, so I can't compare this to other amazing shows. However, I am very invested in the mysteries and the investigations. There are a few twists that I have an inkling of what might happen, but for the most part, I went along with this thrilling ride and was quite surprised.

2. Acting - It's my first drama of Huang Xuan, and no wonder I hear lots of praises He was amazing as Gao Bing Zhu, a multi-layered and complicated grey character (to start). I've seen clips of Victoria Song in "Find Yourself" and didn't quite like her there (or I just don't like the drama). However, I am glad that I get to see her in LuoYang again. She surprises me as I wasn't expecting her to perform so well in emotional scenes. I am no stranger to Wang Yi Bo, and his acting is on par to what I expect. I also feel that his character doesn't provide him with enough range to show off his (maybe there) potential acting skills. The person that surprises me the most is Yong Mei, who played the Empress. What a presence she has! She doesn't speak loud, doesn't do much, but when she's on my screen, I feel her presence.

3. Production - The lighting! After watching so many historical C-dramas, I have come to expect certain big S+ dramas to satisfy my hunger for natural lighting. I am glad to see that Luoyang does not disappoint. The amazing use of candles and lanterns in Er lang's room and the Joint Corps pleases me the most. Aside from the lighting, the set designs and ornaments are beautiful. No CGI was used to have fake people. The drama employs many real people in this drama to act as regular citizens, and there are many scenes with crowds. There are any beautiful shots of Luoyang and realistic shots in Unwelcome Well.

4. Gao Bing Zhu + 16 Night - The last scene between the two of them is so amazingly acted by both actors. It's so heartbreakingly beautiful when we finally learn of the backstory between the two of them.

What I Don't Quite Like or want Improvements:

1. Flashbacks/Black screen/Camera work - My number one complaint of this show is the blurry flashback scenes. Why are they always so blurry? They are giving me motion sickness and making me dizzy. There are also many black screens that pop up to show a different camera angle. I've seen black screen used in other dramas, but mostly for scene transitions. But for the black screen to show up so many times just to change a camera angle, gets really annoying. The blurry flashbacks really affected my enjoyment of the drama. I also don't like the bright light behind the actors. I think they use this camerawork a little too often. Of course, this is all very personal.

2. Voices/Sound - I believe the actors are using their own voices, and I greatly appreciate that. However, I found Wang Yi Bo's line delivery very unclear in the first couple episodes. It sounds like he's mumbling. However, he definitely improves later on. I would love to hear live recording, but unfortunately, they are studio recorded. But overall, I found the dubbing for this S+ drama to be lacking. There are times when the mouths and sounds are not matching.

3. Not enough leads together - I hope to see more scenes of the three leads together. They are oftentimes working independently or only in pairs. I think the three of them have pretty good chemistry when arguing or investigating.

4. Liu Ran - As a character, she doesn't seem to provide much use. Her sole purpose to "humanize" Erlang. If they are going to do that, they could have developed the romance a little more. Yes, Liu Ran does call out "Erlang...Erlang... Erlang" quite a bit in this drama. But maybe I knew of it and have low expectations, I wasn't as bothered. I've seen enough annoying characters that I don't even find Liu Ran and her brother that bad. I've built up my annoying-character tolerance.

Other Observations/Thoughts:
1. Saw a different kind of wedding ceremony. Don't think I've seen a tent for the bride and groom to greet guests in any other historical dramas.
2. At times, the BGM is a little loud and I can't hear the dialogs.
3. Erlang is so multi-talented. He's a foodie and an architect. But he's also a chemist and a coroner as well.
4. Slow motion fighting again. Why???????
5. *SPOILER* Ending - Gao Bing Zhu and Wu Si Yue have gone through so much and have lost so many people in their lives. Why can't you let them live happily ever after???

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