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A war-focused movie which might be more enjoyable for fans who have background knowledge

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” is my first movie of 2025 and I even watched this in the theater! This movie is an adaptation of the first book of the Condor Trilogy but focuses on a more mature Guo Jing and Huang Rong, and the war between Mongolia and the Jin and Song Dynasties. If you have not read the books or the many TV drama adaptations, this movie is just like any other big production war movie. Whether this is a good thing or not, it’s up to the viewer. Afterall, the movie is only 2.5 hours long and you can’t really fit everything into a movie.

Plot:
If you have not read the novel or watched the TV drama, the first 15-20 minutes gave a quick recap of everything that happened between Guo Jing and Huang Rong (romance and quick adventure), and how Guo Jing became the martial artist that he is. The rest of the drama is about how Guo Jing and Huang Rong try to find each other again, and the war development between Mongolia and the Jin Dynasty, with a side story of the Poison Master Ouyang Feng’s quest. Although I am understanding of the time limitation, I can’t help but feel a tiny bit disappointed when the focus is not on the martial arts world and on Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Their adventure together is the best part of the book. Because that part is missing, even when they found each other again, it’s missing that emotional ecstasy (but then, I am also a hopeless romantic).

Casting:
I was unsure about casting Xiao Zhan as the somewhat naive and ‘dumb’ Guo Jing. But since the movie focuses on a more mature version of Guo Jing, I think Xiao Zhan did a pretty good job. His big eyes are able to convey innocence, justice and strong beliefs, but not clueless as who Guo Jing once was in the drama adaptation, such as Yang Xu Wen’s version in 2017. Unfortunately, this version of a mature Huang Rong is missing the spark I’ve seen in Barbara Yung’s version in 1983, or Li Yi Tong’s version in 2017. Sabrina Zhuang is not doing a bad job, but something is missing in this intelligent yet still cunning version of Huang Rong. I’m happy to see the movie included Mongolian actors, in addition to a few from Hong Kong. Quite a bit of Mongolian is spoken in the movie but I have no way of knowing if they were done well. At least everything sounded believable. The rest of the supporting cast did fabulous. With some fabulous makeup, Tony Leung is an unrecognizable Ouyang Feng (especially the last scene) and I can’t say I wasn’t surprised to see Ada Choi played a mother figure (I feel so old seeing her).

Production:
You can’t deny this is a big budget production - the number of soldiers in the field, the great wars and battles, sets and costumes. Big fights are usually done with special effects, and these are not cheap special effects. But because the Condor Heroes to me is a wuxia trilogy more than a war trilogy, I can’t help but be a little disappointed in the lack of real fights. I want to see traditional martial arts fights with close contact combat. I might have gotten 2-3 scenes of good fights, but the rest is usually CGI-fighting or arrows shooting.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I would, especially if you are a fan of the novel/drama and a fan of Xiao Zhan. But if you don’t have some of the background, “Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants” is only just another war movie. If you don’t mind, it’s still very enjoyable given the good acting and excellent supporting cast. Lastly, I want to add that if you watched the old 1983 Hong Kong version, it really brought back memories when the theme song starts to play. Just a few notes and I immediately recognize it. I think the song was also used in the 2017 drama and again here as the background music in the 2025 movie. But the main theme song of the movie is a battle-themed song sung in Mongolian. That’s a nice touch!


Completed: 3/2/2025 - Review #549

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Awful over dramatic acting and boisterous characters that assault your senses.

First things first, is this drama worth watching? NO!!!!!!

If you are not in a hurry, continue reading to find out why. I was ‘gifted’ this drama as a challenge watch from a MDLer’s least favorite dramas collection. And there’s a reason why “Ohlala Couple” receives a MDL rating of 6.5 and my friends’ average rating of 3.0 at the time of this writing.

If it wasn’t for the challenge, I would have dropped this drama within the first 5 minutes (within 2 minutes of the introduction of the present-day ML). I am not sure if it’s the screenwriter or the two directors to be blamed for this disaster.

Soo Nam (ML) has my most hated male lead introduction ever in all 800+ dramas I’ve seen so far. Not only did he cheat on his wife, he is a narcissistic, sexist, self-centered, chauvinistic pig. Since he’s the male lead, it’s to be expected that there will be a redemption arc for him throughout the drama. Unfortunately, I am not sure how many watchers made it past the first episode to want to see him redeem himself.

Compounded with the worst male lead introduction ever, is the over dramatic acting of the WHOLE cast. Not just the male lead, but the female lead, their family members and hotel employees. When the annoyance level is exponentially multiplied, this becomes harassment and assault to my senses. There’s so much screaming and yelling, physical hitting and verbal insults. Is it because this is produced in 2012 and watching this in 2024 causes this intolerance of mine? I was never a fan of the overdramatic acting or boisterous characters, but “Ohlala Couple” wins the gold medal right here.

Luckily, the craziness and the annoyance settled down a bit once the body switch was over. I am so glad I didn’t have to wait till the end of the drama for that to happen. But at this point, I already lost interest in the drama and there’s no way in hell for me to love it.

The drama is also way too long with many illogical inconsistencies. You can just walk into the hospital or doctor’s office and expect to have a medical procedure done right there. Who in their right mind (even if you have never worked at a hotel) tells a VVIP customer off and calls her husband a cheating rapist? Who drives an ambulance so recklessly for just a liver transplant?

Let’s end on a positive note. It’s lovely and nostalgic to listen to some old English songs played in the background. I’m so glad we actually have two lovely secondary leads. The only thing you could fault about the 2FL is that she fell in love with someone’s husband. But as a person, she is kind and sweet, and really deserves to be loved by a great man. Her obsession with the male lead might have caused her clinginess and stalkerish behavior, and a few poor choices, but she was just craving love. And our secondary male lead definitely deserves someone better. He’s smart and just, kind and considerate. Aside from making a noble idiocy choice when he was young, he’s a perfect guy. I shed some tears for him in the last episode. Despite how I hated the acting of everyone, I have to give the actors props and salute their dedication to the craft. The amount of cringe and secondhand embarrassment is off the chart. Yet, the actors did what they were asked to do and performed. It’s all the directors and screewriter’s fault!

I am going to rate this as low as my least favorite, Love Syndrome III, with a grand rating of 2.5. I disliked these two dramas for very different reasons. Objectively, “Ohlala Couple” isn’t worse. But subjectively, it was a torture to watch, even when I was watching it at 1.3x speed the whole way. I can’t even laugh at the mediocrity like when I was watching LSIII.


Completed: 7/28/2024 - Review #467

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Not enough time to fully develop and tell the stories of an interesting plot.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

I think my biggest criticism, or I can call it weakness, of “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” is the length of the drama. Being a J-drama, it’s not surprising that the episodes are short (less than 30 mins) and only 9 episodes long. For most rom-com and slice-of-life, this might be an acceptable runtime. However, “Koisuru Keigo 24 Ji” actually has a pretty interesting plot and individual stories about the ML and FL. Add romance to it, the drama feels rushed and unfinished.

I really like the plot of the drama. Rika (FL) is being threatened due to a lawsuit where she defended a big corporation and affected the livelihood of many normal citizens. Her boss hires a bodyguard to protect her. Tatsunoskuke (ML), the bodyguard primarily assigned to protect Rika, also has his own backstory and mystery to solve. The leads have good chemistry and I really enjoy all of their interaction together. Iwamoto Hikaru looks fit and handsome as the bodyguard. I love his cool deadpan face, and also his cute smile when he’s off duty. Shiraishi Mai looks beautiful and believable as the tough lawyer.

The supporting characters are a lovely bunch. The drama is easy to watch and the acting is good. Since this is not an anime or manga adaptation, we don’t see the usual Japanese, over dramatic acting and I am grateful for that. I also really enjoy the action scenes. I was very impressed with all the actors in taking down the siblings. The punches, wrestling and takedown are all realistic and believable. I would have loved to see more of these action scenes throughout the drama, since this is about a bodyguard and security.

With a great cast and a good setup, the time restraint prevents the stories from being told adequately. I want to see more of the security threats to Rika. The bodyguard storyline goes away after the first few episodes, then the focus switches to Tatsunosuke’s investigation. Although we get some flashbacks to the past, I don’t see what present-day Tatsunosuke has done to solve the mystery. Romance also takes a back seat in the latter episodes. The main leads’ relationship and rapport are nicely developed in the first half, but too little screen time is given in the second half. By the time Rika supported Tatsunosuke in a professional manner, I was not moved emotionally and the chemistry between them subsided..

Nevertheless, this is an easy and enjoyable watch. It just has so much more potential that I am disappointed. I would recommend this drama if you enjoy the bodyguard storyline with good-looking leads and a lovely supporting cast. However, if you are big into crime investigation, this might be lacking.

Completed: 7/20/2024 - Review #463

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A Must-Watch for Qin Jun Jie Fans - History with a side of Treasure Hunt & Wu Xia

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75

There’s so much to unpack in this year’s “Heroes” that I don’t know where to begin. I think to fully enjoy this drama, having a little cultural and historical context during this time would be helpful. Veteran and esteemed reviewer, PeachBlossomGoddess, wrote an excellent review providing some political background info. You should read that as well. I am not a history buff, so I don’t know much. But I know that during the setting of this drama in 1911, it was a time of change and towards the end of the Qing Dynasty. After watching many Republican era dramas of spies, I know that the fight for this change doesn’t end until a lot later. 1911 is only the beginning for the revolution.

This is an interesting time to have a wuxia drama. A drama that brought together three very different individuals with different ideals and backgrounds towards a common quest of treasure. Their approaches are unique to them, and they clash and fight and become frenemies. I’ve enjoyed each of their individual journeys.

There’s so much I want to write in this review and I don’t know how to organize it. Some random categories then.

Qin Jun Jie (Men San Dao) - I have always liked Qin Jun Jie and he has never disappointed me with his acting. He was FANTASTIC in this drama. He plays the main character, Men San Dao, a serious former emperor’s personal guard who was imprisoned for 12 years after the failed attempt of the emperor’s 100 Days’ Reform. For the most part, QJJ plays a very solemn guard. But you can also see the controlled emotions on his face, the softening of his eyes and expressions when he’s facing GeGe (the love of his life) and the slightly mischievous look when he’s with Lucky and Liu Lin. He has great chemistry with Maggie Huang (GeGe) even though they have very few scenes together. I can still feel their attraction and love, even if they never touch one another. The scene when Men San Dao was lost and confused in front of the emperor’s tomb, was heartbreaking and beautifully acted by QJJ and brought tears to my eyes. I can’t see anyone playing this role but QJJ.

Pang Han Chen (Wan Jia Luo) - I don’t recall seeing Pang Han Chen in previous modern dramas but I think he did a great job as Wan Jia Luo, the stubborn, righteous constable who never gives up on chasing and seeking justice. His character might not be the most endearing and is rather frustrating to watch, but PHC portrays the character well. I feel his uptight righteousness, his shyness when he’s with his girl and the frustrations especially in the last couple episodes. He also knows how to make an entrance! I do wish his character would use his heart and his brain a little bit more. His stubbornness costs him a lot, but also saves his life many times.

Liu Yu Ning (Zhuo Bu Fan) - I enjoy his acting here a lot more than in “A Journey to Love”. I do believe LYN’s acting has steadily improved. However, there are too many acting powerhouses in this drama, thus, I think he’s the weakest out of the 3 male leads. He’s such a tall guy, but he doesn’t seem to have good posture. As the #1 Swordsman in the country, he doesn’t exude charisma to live up to this name. However, I am pleasantly surprised that his fight scenes do look pretty good.

Romance - We have three forbidden romances, yet the writing or acting did not fully take advantage of this. It’s unfortunate because they could be so much more memorable. Of the three romances, the one that I actually feel something is between Men San Dao and GeGe. I might be biased because I like Qin Jun Jie, and this pair also has the fewest scenes together. Yet, I can feel their chemistry oozing because of two amazing actors. They don’t have to touch each other for me to root for them. Unfortunately, the other two romances have more screen time, yet are so bland. I am not sure if it’s Liu Yu Ning’s acting but I am not sensing his controlled emotions towards Huo Qin. This pair has no chemistry at all but their story could be the most heartbreaking. Jinna Fu (who plays Huo Qin) looks like an older sister to Liu Yu Ning. LYN is not responding to her affection. Lastly, Chen Si Che’s portrayal of Lin An Jing might be the weakest of the cast. And maybe because of that, I definitely do not feel any chemistry between Lin An Jing and Wang Jia Luo as a couple. I do have to say the last scene of them together was moving (mainly because of Pang Han Chen’s acting) but it was too late for me to like them as a couple.

Action Scenes - First things first, I still think there’s a little too much slow-mo fight scenes. However, compared to other wuxia and xianxia dramas, it’s not that bad. As a wuxia drama, there are quite a few well-choreographed close combat action scenes. The drama also does not shy away from blood, violence and deaths. The several duels between Men San Dao and Zhuo Bu Fan are very satisfying to watch. Both actors, QJJ and Liu Yu Ning, also did a great job and act like they really know how to fight. I do not see any actor who is just swinging the sword like they’re dancing and not fighting.

Lucky + Liu Lin - As individuals, both of them are quite insufferable and annoying at times. However, when they have scenes with Men San Dao, I like them both very much. Lucky just babbles way too much in the beginning and when he’s doing his sales pitch. But when he’s being roped into Men San Dao’s plans and they have scenes together, they have great chemistry and are quite hilarious. Lucky also brings out the mischievous side of Men San Dao that he doesn’t often show. Similarly, Liu Lin’s preaching can get a little much. But I do enjoy her arguments with Men San Dao. They are like siblings bickering with each other, though I think Liu Lin might actually like Men San Dao. Men San Dao probably just treats her as a little sister. But no doubt they both admire each other’s strengths and dedication.

Smart and Strong characters - It’s so nice to watch a drama with intelligent characters trying to outsmart each other. Everyone is trying to figure out the next person’s moves. We have smart villains and smart protagonists. Women play a pivotal part in this drama as well, and none of them is a damsel in distress. They hold their own - emotionally, intelligently and physically.

Acting/Voice - “Heroes” has a very strong cast, especially the supporting cast which features many veteran actors. I might have picked on a couple of them, but overall, the acting is excellent. It also has a wonderful cast of guest roles. I was immediately impressed with Yin Zheng’s very short scene as the Emperor Guang Xu. He only showed up in Ep 1 but his voice and his acting leave a very lasting impression. I was also very glad that actors are using their own voices. I also really enjoy the actors using different accents and dialects when they are at different cities/regions. For a drama with such historical context and so many important conversations, hearing the actors' own voices really highlight the acting and give watchers a different form of viewing pleasure.

Opening themes - I noticed there are few opening themes for this drama. The main one includes real historic footage during that time, mixed with drama footage in the same old-style cinematic color tone. Then there are two that have monologues from Men San Dao and Zhu Fu Fan, speaking of their experience, beliefs and regrets. There’s another romantic cheesy one featuring the supposedly romantic pairs and a few supporting cast. This one is weird but funny! I am one that fast-forward all opening and closing credits, but when I see the cheesy one with floating roses, I had to pause, rewind, and make sure I did not miss it.

Flashbacks - The drama uses several flashbacks to tell us the background history of our characters. They are not long and they don’t keep on repeating to annoy you. The one I like the most is the montage in the earlier episodes detailing the romantic history of Men San Dao, GeGe and Zhong Hai Chao. It was so well-done that it broke my heart.

Subtle moments - This is quite a serious drama but then once in a while, it will drop a scene that gives me a chuckle. It could be Men San Dao holding a black vase that can break up a marriage, or the three leads playing cards while killing time. On the other hand, scenes like tightly grasping a sword, or nonchalantly wrapping a necklace/bracelet around the wrist could mean something but not openly verbalized. Or the first real conversation between GeGe and Liu Lin is full of subtle flaunting of who is more closely associated with Men San Dao. This type of jealousy is shown through witty conversations and not petty behaviors. Many of these scenes you have to pay attention to because they come and go in a flash.


I strongly recommend this drama if you are interested in history with a side of wuxia and treasure hunt. The pacing is good and there’s a lot going on to keep you interested and invested. Pay close attention to the well-written conversations and the subtle moments to fully enjoy it. There’s romance, but not central to the plot and not really done well.



Completed: 6/29/2024 - Review #454

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Predictable but Comforting. Adorable Leads with Great Chemistry!

Subjective Gut Rating; 8.5
Objective Rating: 7.5-8.0

Why am I rating this quite high? Well, because this is my cup of tea! I love when main leads are in love with each other, yet thinking the other doesn’t like them. I LOVE the guessing game. That’s my jam! If you are like me, then you will enjoy this drama. If this is not your thing, then “Goodbye’s Love Begins With Betting” is a predictable, easy and light watch. You have seen everything. There is no surprise, but a comfort watch.

Nao (FL) and Koichi (ML) are both very likable characters. Nao is known as the Ice Iron lady, and Koichi is known as the handsome, but indecisive guy who will say yes to everyone. Both of them started dating due to a bet. And you probably can guess that they ended up liking each other and are worried about how this bet is going to ruin their relationship. The leads have great chemistry and I enjoy all their scenes together.

There are a lot of internal monologues to show Nao’s internal conflict and how she is so different outwardly than her true self. She is adorable and it’s quite interesting to hear the internal turmoil while watching her with an emotionless face. Yamazaki Hirona played Nao really well. I was rooting for her the whole time. But what I adore even more is Koseki Yuta’s beautiful and sunshine smile. It’s no wonder our female lead is so in love with him. Koichi might be indecisive but I don’t find him frustrating because he presents himself so well and because Yuta plays his role so well.

The best friends are the rational and sensible support system that our leads need. I’m glad the drama doesn’t force-feed us a secondary romance, but really centers all attention to our leads. The two best friends play an important supporting role in the story and not just wallflowers. I also adore FL’s co-worker as the cute cheerleader. The ‘villain’ isn’t too irritating either.

If you are looking for a fun, easy and light watch, this is it for you. Don’t expect anything unique or groundbreaking, but sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!



Completed: 6/8/2024 - Review #450

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Deep and thought-provoking conversations & quotes - BUT could be too much and boring to some.

I forgot how I stumbled upon this drama, “Is Love Sustainable?” aka “Jizoku Kanona Koi Desuka: Chichi to Musume no Kekkon Koushinkyoku”. It’s either from the feeds, or as I was browsing through dramas of the male lead, Tanaka Kei, after watching him in Ossan Love. I wanted to see him play a slightly more normal character, not crazy and over-the-top.

I was very impressed with the first episode. It was full of meaningful conversations, great chemistry between daughter and father, and good romantic chemistry between Kyoka and Seita. It has some nice cinematography, and thought-provoking enough for me to be interested in their views of relationships and marriages. But as the story progresses, I realize some of these positives could be negatives for other viewers.

This is a pretty slow-paced slice-of-life drama. The plot is character-driven, and really nothing too exciting happens. There are many wonderful quotes of life and marriages, and a lot of yoga and yoga teachings. I don’t practice yoga, and especially not understanding its deeper meanings and lectures. Dad is a lexicographer and dictionary editor. He loves words! Throughout the drama, you can see him explaining the origin of words and seeing him trying to learn new slangs is quite interesting. All of this could either be very wonderful and interesting, or super boring to the viewers. I was initially impressed but it did get to be a little too much towards the end.

I enjoy watching the romance development of both couples. They are mature, communicative, and have some cute moments. Both couples have great chemistry. The drama also challenges traditional gender roles at home. Not all wives want to be home and are good at doing household chores. It also talks about the difficulty of balancing work, family life and personal time.

Overall, I had a pretty decent time watching “Is Love Sustainable?”. The pace at times is slow and I think 10 episodes are too much, maybe 8 would be better. If you enjoy thought-provoking quotes/teachings and deep conversations, this is the drama for you. But if you like something faster paced and more plot-driven, then I would not recommend this for you.


Other Random Observations:
1. Tanaka Kei is a very normal-looking guy, but there’s something about him that I like. He also looks pretty good in suits.
2. It’s quite interesting seeing a bunch of old guys (dictionary editors) discussing ‘kyun’ and other modern slangs.
3. Who knew match-making services are that involved and comprehensive. They even teach you how to start and carry a conversation.
4. Igawa Haruka (Ortho surgeon) is so beautiful and elegant!
5. Ueno Jury (FL) makes me believe she’s a yoga instructor. Her body type and yoga moves look very legit from my novice eyes.
6. Pleasantly surprised to see a Jdorama (or Asian dramas) to feature a body-positive yoga class.


Completed: 4/27/2024 - Review #434

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Did not quite stick the ending, but still a very enjoyable watch.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25 (almost a solid 8.5)

Just as many have commented and reviewed, “A Journey to Love” was an exciting, fun, and engaging drama for most of the episodes. Unfortunately, along with other fellow viewers, I was disappointed in the last 5-6 episodes. Even so, this is still a drama worth watching.

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What I Like:

Fight/Action Scenes - It has been a while since I last watched a drama with very satisfying fight scenes that don’t rely on CGI. There are still some posing and slow motion, but comparatively, the fight scenes are fast-paced, realistic and choreographed well. There are many war scenes, as well as just regular fighting amongst each other. These scenes are also spread throughout the drama. All actors and actresses look the part and I don’t see anyone weak who acts like they are flailing around with their swords.

The Gang of Brothers - Who would have thought I will love these side characters more than the main leads. The buddies from the Six Realms Hall/Liu Dao Hall are such a fun bunch. They provide many comedic moments. Initially, I wasn’t sure if the comedy jives with the vibe of the drama, since “A Journey to Love” appears to be a serious drama of assassination, palace politics and wars. But I love these guys so much. Each of them brings something different to the group. And when the last few episodes happened, I was so sad.

Alen Fang/Yu Shi San (13) - I bet 13 is the most loved character in the drama. I’ve seen Alen Fang in many other dramas before, mostly as a supporting role. The last drama I saw him in was “The Longest Promise” and he played the beloved Zhi Yuan. Zhi Yuan is such a different character from 13 but Alen did such a great job. It’s lovely to see more and more viewers know and acknowledge Alen’s acting. He shines so brightly that Liu Yu Ning, as the main lead, pales in comparison.

Princess Yang Ying - This is my first time watching He Lan Dou and she has quite a difficult character to play in Yang Ying. I found He Lan Dou’s acting a little rough in the beginning and it took me a while to get used to her cross-dressing role. But she grew on me and I like her acting and her character more and more. It’s lovely to see little Yang Ying grow in front of our eyes. From the forgotten and timid princess to an independent, strong-willed and feisty lady of the house.

Ren Xin - A true assassin and the best of the best. She doesn’t stop killing, from ep 1 to ep 40. Finally we have a strong female character who is strong from the beginning to the end. Her romance softens her hardened heart a little, but deep down she’s still the trained assasin. I enjoyed Liu Shi Shi’s portrayal of Ren Xin. LSS exudes elegant yet arrogant charisma. Her posture and head were so straight that I wondered if LSS needed a massage after every scene. LOL

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What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

Li Tong Guang - I like him and then I don’t like him. His obsession towards Ren Xin is a little dramatic, but it’s not like I’ve never seen this before. This is my first true time watching Chang Hua Sen and I don’t think his acting is quite up to par to play such a polarizing character. He wasn’t bad, but at times he seems to have tried too hard to act crazy, and his acting lacks maturity. Other times, I feel that he did quite a good job as someone intelligent and ambitious, yet still cares about the lives of the common people. Maybe if this Li Tong Guang is played by another actor, I might have liked him more as the default gray character of a drama.

Romance - I love all things romance, yet I am not loving the romance between Ren Xin (FL) and Ning Yuan Zhou (ML). It’s not horrible. They look good together, and Liu Shi Shi has the perfect height to stand next to the super tall Liu Yu Ning. But I am not feeling their chemistry. I think Liu Yu Ning’s acting is adequate but not amazing, and especially not good during romantic scenes. There are also way too many slow motion romantic scenes and there was one kiss that took forever for the lips to touch. On the other hand, I love the few scenes Yu Shi San has with Chu Yue. Their scenes are so limited but I feel the chemistry between them so much more. Their night of fun together brought a lot of joy. The conversation/confrontation the day after was emotional and really tugs at my heartstrings. And the last scenes of them together make me feel so, so sad.

Pacing - I was really enjoying the different arcs in the first 70% of the drama. I thought it was well-paced and I was invested and engaged. The combination of comedy, action, camaraderie, and palace politics are pretty well done. Then the last arc with the northerners happened. It’s like someone presses on the gas pedal and everything speeds up. Why was there such a rush in the end? Was the drama edited and chopped up because of the 40-episode limitation? Was that the writing’s fault? I am not sure.

Ending - Was I surprised how ‘brutal’ the ending is? Not really. I don’t dislike the ending per se. I am a little surprised by the sheer number of deaths. I’ve watched C-drama historicals enough to know not to love a character too much, as they might not make it to the end. I just wish their deaths would be spaced out. I don’t think I have the time to mourn for each death, and the drama did not take a breather before moving to the next one. This ties back to my criticism of the pacing.

Dubbing - How I wish everyone used their real voice. Unfortunately, Liu Shi Shi/Ren Xin and Chang Hua Sen/Li Tong Guang. The other main cast did and I applaud them for it, especially for Liu Yu Ning/Ning Yuan Zhou and the young He Lan Dou/Yang Ying. But all dubbing was done in the studio and none live.

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Although this drama is not perfect, I have quite an enjoyable time watching it. It’s able to hold my attention until about ep 35. If the last 5-6 episodes are paced well and the main romance has better chemistry, I would have rated this an 9.0. But now, I am just going to give this an 8.25-8.50. I will still recommend this drama for the fun bunch of guys, great action scenes and an engaging plot.


Completed: 2/22/2024 - Review #406

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Interesting premise of matchmaking but lacking in Leads chemistry

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

The main reason that I wanted to watch “The Matchmakers” is because of Rowoon. The premise of the drama is also pretty interesting, especially when the story revolves mainly around the matchmaking of the three sisters and not a bunch of minor supporting characters in an episodic format.

Rowoon has such a pretty face that it is really hard for me not to like him in any role. “The Matchmakers” is trying to challenge me and test my patience. I don’t think I’ve ever disliked Rowoon so much. The introduction of the Prince Consort makes it really hard to like him. He’s such an irritating and know-it-all, I-am-better-than-all-of-you asshole. It took me a while to warm up to his character. On the other hand, FL aka the goddess of matchmaking, is a lot easier to like and to root for. She’s smart and kind. I love her deducing ability and perceptive eye in matchmaking. It was quite fun to watch. But, I need to put away my brain for a little and believe that her makeup can transform her into a totally different person, who even her own brother can’t recognize her.

When we put a book smart ML together with a street smart FL, we should see fireworks. Unfortunately, the chemistry is lacking. I’ve never questioned Rowoon’s ability to act totally in love. I think I am not getting that from the female lead. They are great partners, but not great lovers. Their romance is weak and disappointing, and I didn’t care for their forbidden love.. FL’s wishy-washy indecision also drags down the pacing of the show. The secret of FL’s identity drags on for too long. When they finally kissed, we got a dead fish kiss. What a waste of Rowoon’s lips and talents! The ending is somewhat predictable because that's probably the only way they could have given it a somewhat happy ending.

The drama also spends a lot of screen time on politics and family/female roles, instead of diving deeper into the three sisters’ romance. Their marriages are central to the plot and could have delivered even more comedy. I do find Sisters #2 and #3 romances quite cute and adorable. Sister #1 isn’t my cup of tea.

On a positive note, the overall acting is good. The King is fun and the 2 young child actors are adorable. The crown prince looks a little young and might be better to cast someone older. The veteran cast definitely outshines the younger cast. The production quality is decent and I like the use of natural lighting (candles and lamps). Seeing FL’s annex is like seeing an old Korean friend. You see that set in so many saeguks. Music is ok, and mainly musical scores rather than songs with lyrics overplayed.

I will only recommend this drama if you are a fan of the actors, or if you really like matchmaking. There are better rom-com saeguks out there. “The Matchmakers” should have been 12 episodes long instead of 16.


Completed: 1/7/2024 - Review #391

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Identity Crisis - A Mix of Comedy, Romantic Comedy and Melodrama

I started “No Regrets in Life” without much expectation and really am not sure what I’m getting myself into. I thought it would be a mature, romantic melodrama about second-chance romance. Well, let’s just say I am not sure ‘mature’ is the adjective I would use to describe the characters here.

Taiwanese humor is something I am still trying to get used to. So when the first few episodes bombarded me with people acting crazy, shouting over each other, and forcing two former college friends who lost touch and wanting them to be together, I questioned if I made a mistake in starting this drama. Luckily, I persisted and by episode 4, the story continues to unfold and it’s more than forcing people to do what they don’t want to do.

However, personally, only the male lead is a character that I find somewhat likable and can root for. This is my first drama of Liu Guan Ting, so I am not sure if he’s always somewhat awkward, or if he's doing an excellent job playing the role of Wang Yan. I enjoy how he plays this introverted and socially awkward character, who could easily be a pushover. After his ‘mistake’ 8 years ago, he has learned to be more decisive. His work life is fine, but his love and family lives are pitiful.

Every other character has their annoying elements, even female lead Nin You Zhu. I actually don’t think she deserves the male lead. I am having a hard time seeing things through her eyes, especially with the argument with the male lead 8 years ago. Would I be upset like her, probably. But holding a grudge like that for 8 years is a little much.

The supporting cast is made of the rest of the 7 college friends and together, they call themselves the 9 Suns. They are a loud bunch and are super nosy. They can’t help butting into everyone’s business, especially the love life between the leads. Plotwise, yes, we do need the 9 Suns to nudge the leads a little to get back together but they do more than nudging. Just because you regretted a stupid decision you made in college, doesn’t give you the right to force people to do things they don’t want to, especially causing such a big ruckus. This is one of the rare dramas with a strong focus on friendship where I don’t want these friends in my life. These friends like to emotionally blackmail others.

Wang Yan’s wife is an interesting character. Gosh, I hated her and found her super annoying at first. And then I just pity her. Aggie Hsieh’s acting is hard to watch in a good way? On the other hand, Ning You Zhu’s boyfriend is a boring character. Maybe I just don’t like JC Lin’s acting. They have no chemistry at all and I guess that’s the point.

Somewhat spoilery here - this drama is full of emotional cheating. The three couples (hexagon relationship) portrayed here are a mess. At least one person in a relationship is not faithful to their partner. They might not outright kiss, hug, or sleep with someone, but it’s obvious that they are in love with someone else.

I am not sure I can recommend this drama. If you are a fan of the Taiwanese style, you might like it more than I do. I feel like “No Regrets in Life” has an identity crisis. I wish it is either a melodrama, a comedy or a romantic comedy, but not a mix of all three. However, at least I love the songs here and I applaud some characters' ability to speak their lines really fast and able to hold back their laughs.


Completed: 8/30/2023 - Review #347

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Non-judgmental storytelling about casual sex - unique but not great

Completed - 6/9/2022

Japan really has its own unique style in telling stories. This drama not only focuses on our female lead's sex life with her 5 friends with benefits, but also touched upon subjects such as prostitution, asexuality, and transvestism.

This drama is not preachy or judgmental, but casually tells us stories of 5 working adults at a video production company. In order to enjoy this drama, one should be open to the above-mentioned subjects and the culture of having very casual sex. Each character is quite unique in their own way. I don't find any of them particularly lovable, and actually quite annoyed with the female lead. I am still trying to get used to Japanese humor and its uniqueness/weirdness.

It might seem like our female lead is enjoying her sex life just as much as all the male characters in this drama. However, she is not as liberated and carefree as it seems. Deep down, she is just like every other typical drama female character who longs for love and marriage, and is in love with someone who doesn't care for her. She's really no different than the women that her male colleague sleeps with. Maybe that's why, I don't particularly like her or her style of acting. I actually find the stories of her colleagues more interesting than her 5 sexual partners. Well, at least A-kun is quite handsome.

With such a strong focus on sex, this drama is surprisingly PG-13. There's not a whole lot of skin shown during all the intimate scenes and they are not sexy or sensual at all. I am actually quite disappointed (no, I am not expecting p0rn either). Towards the end, it does show some chemistry between two co-workers, but nothing much really happened. Maybe their story will continue in Season 2.

Overall, this is a quick and easy watch. It could be fun if you are open to the topic. It's not a drama I highly recommend, but watch it if you want something different. Oh, and I really dislike the opening theme song.

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Good start but then it went downhill

Completed - 4/8/2022

The first 1/3 of the drama feels like Ancient Detective + Love and Redemption. It was fun to see our leads bickering with each other while solving crimes. However, I wouldn't say the crimes are super interesting or well-thought out. But at least the leads were fun to watch and I enjoy their characters. The drama went downhill and the lead romance becomes too cringey. Our female lead deity tries to woo our cool-headed male lead with methods that are way too cringey for my taste. Our supposedly smart ML is too hard-headed to get what FL is trying to do. Once the leads got together, the drama force-feeds us with a large dose of sugary fluffiness in one big episode. I should have known that whenever a drama does that, it means the cute romance won't last long and viewers will have to wait for a long time to see them together again.

The second half of the drama becomes a totally different drama. It feels like Ashes of Love but worse and many plot holes. Love, hate and obsession become the central story line in the middle episodes. If I am not an experienced wuxia/xianxia watcher, I might enjoy typical cliches and tropes more. But unfortunately, I watch and shake my head in boredom and frustration. I really start to lose interest in the abyss arc. I feel that should be the start of season 2.

I would recommend this drama to beginner watchers of xian xia dramas, who understand a little bit about the 3 realms but not too familiar with the tropes to be bored.

Let's see if I can summarize the tropes in bullet points:
- Love Square and persistent unrequited love
- 2ML turned evil because FL does not reciprocate his feelings, even though he has sacrificed so much for her.
- 2ML continues to blame ML because he has loved FL longer, and has been there for her. You are a newcomer who doesn't deserve her. ML gotta wait in line!
- Secondary leads who won't take "no" for an answer no matter how many times they are rejected.
- Double dose of noble idiocy = I will leave you for your sake because I love you and this is what's best for you. Who cares what you really want.
- Multiple characters believing their way is the correct way and you must do what I say. I am doing this for your own good ,even though I don't care how you feel/think

Aside from all that, the writing is quite messy and there are many plot holes.
- FL is supposed to be smart but yet she can't figure out there are demons around her. I thought she can smell demons but fails to do that many times.
- If FL can't fall in love, why break up the couple when she has ALREADY fallen in love? Isn't it too late already and worse if she's heartbroken?
- Why are the demons fighting with weapons against humans? Don't they know magic and can kill with a snap of their fingers? There's no way humans could win!
- I know our ML is smart, but is he really so smart that he knows how to re-create war weapons all by himself? He's not even a soldier but a crime investigator.

Let's end this review on a more positive note. Here's what I do enjoy:
- I like Zhang Yi Shang's acting as our female lead. I might find her character in the beginning a little too much, but she grows on me. Zhang Yi Shang is able to portray the different personalities of Duan Mu Cui well. She gives off a very different vibe when she's the General Duan Mu, compared to the happy and innocent Duan Mu Cui and depressed Duan Mu Cui. She looks absolutely stunning as well.
- Darren Chen is very pretty/handsome to look at. I like him in the first 1/3 of the drama, but not as much when he's in love and in sacrifice mode.
- Both 2ML and 2FL look great in black and evil attire. 2ML looks especially handsome, and his acting improves as his character goes darker. He's pretty meh when he's the 'good' guy in white.
- I like the BGM and the songs are not overplayed. Actually, the songs are rarely played and because of that, they are much more noticeable. Nice songs.
- Although the CGI and fight scenes aren't great, I do like the costumes, hairstyles, set designs and props of this drama. It's obviously not a high budget production but still I don't find anything too "cheap".

At this moment, I am not sure if I want to watch Season 2 or not. I don't feel a sense of urgency to know how it ends. But I might just because I like to complete my dramas. That's why I didn't drop this in the middle but somewhat force myself to continue.

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Only watch it if you are a fan of contract relationships/marriages

Completed - 3/31/2022

Contract Relationships/Marriages is one of my favorite tropes. I was willing to overlook this drama's flaws when I binge-watched 7 episodes in one go. I had a lot of fun, and I laughed and cried with the characters. The next day, my previous enjoyment and passion died down. I became more annoyed in the last 3 episodes of the drama. My initial 8.0 rating on day 1, went down to 7.5 at the end of the drama, and that's mostly because I like contract marriages.

This drama also has one of my least favorite things - misunderstandings between the leads. It was fun and cute for a while, esp. when we have a male lead who is anti-social, introverted, and inexperienced in love. I found his totally adorkable, even though he could be rude. The reason for going into a fake marriage seems interesting (but bizarre) enough for me to continue watching. He's a cute and dorky white asparagus (it must be the asparagus-like hairstyle). But the repeated misunderstandings due to lack of communication or miscommunication just becomes too much. The adorkableness of the male lead also wanes when he still acts so dumb in the last few episodes. No matter how inexperienced he is, he is still a 30-year old guy who is a professional working at an advertising agency. He clearly demonstrates his intelligence at work, but why not in his personal life? I was also annoyed that a lot of time was spent on the unrequited love for his sister-in-law. I understand it's an important plot of the drama, but I feel that it just drags on for too many episodes. But if the drama doesn't focus on the sister-in-law, there isn't enough content to last for all 10 episodes.

Unfortunately, I am not sure I would recommend this drama. If you like contract marriages, then it might be worth a try. Otherwise, don't bother. Oh, the drama does have a cute grumpy cat. 🐱 So, if you are a cat person (which I know many MDL'ers are), it's worth a shot when you have nothing else to watch. LOL.

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Completed - 2/20/2022

I was in the mood for a fluffy rom-com after a couple of more serious dramas, and came across “I Hear You”. It’s one of the older rom-com starring Zhou Lu Si and Riley Wang and the plot looks promising. It has two of my favorite tropes - pretend/contract relationships & enemies-to-lovers. The expectations are low due to the comments and reviews that I read. And because of that, and also knowing what I am getting myself into, I actually quite enjoyed the drama….except maybe a couple illogical scenarios and the last episode.

Characters - Riley Wang plays the typical cliché cold/stoic character. Zhao Lu Si is the more optimistic but thank goodness, not super bubbly nor naïve female lead Bei Er Duo. What a fun name! Er Duo = Ear. I would say Riley’s portrayal is not very convincing and comes off as a little too emotionless. I like him a lot more as the second lead in “Attention, Love” and “Love is Sweet”. Zhao Lu Si is Zhao Lu Si. This is the type of role that’s made for her and she plays it well. Their chemistry is just OK to me. I think our secondary leads, Yuan Hao (as Yu Sheng) and Gratitude Dai (as Tang Li) have much better chemistry together. I would say the acting in general is fine in this drama. No one is horrible but no one is great either. One good thing about this drama is that I don’t find any character especially annoying. Also, for once there’s a foreign character that speaks believable English and Chinese. He’s actually very likable! How rare is that??

Main Romance - I do quite enjoy the development of both romances. It did take a very long time for the leads to develop from enemies to lovers. This is definitely a slow burn romance and it’s done quite well. There is enough going on with the dating show to provide entertainment for most of the drama. I do wish that the leads would have gotten together maybe an episode or two sooner, leave us some time with a couple episodes of plain cute, fluffy romance. We have waited a long time and we want that! There are complaints about the last episode and I agree. I would have liked to see most of what happened in ep 24 to be in ep 23. Save the last episode for when they are pursuing their dreams and end on a high and sugary note. Without going into spoiler mode, the last episode really could use some work. There are a few illogical decisions that happened and didn't give viewers a well-written ending they deserve.

Secondary Romance - This romance is a lot more mature than the sweet, innocent first love that our main leads have. It’s a nice contrast. We have two working professionals, being partners for a long time. They know each other well and got very used to each other. However, without a real confession, one could never know if it’s all wishful thinking. I really like Tang Li as the second female lead. I emphasize her internal struggle and applaud her courage to speak up and set the record straight. She made a painful but necessary and right choice. The back hug scene is sad but provides closure.

I have no experience with violin playing and making or the dubbing industry. So I am not going to comment on how accurate the drama depicts both industries. They seem ok to me but I am sure someone is fuming while watching this drama. LOL.

Other Observations:
1. Everyone looks so good after waking up, being drunk and after surgery. Hair and makeup are perfect! Actually, they look perfect all the time.
2. Riley Wang looks horrible in those historical costumes! He’s so handsome in his modern looks.
3. I’ve never seen Zhao Lu Si look so horrible in any historical dramas, but here with the first outfit. How can you give her such a bad wig?
4. How does FL turn on ML’s laptop without his password? Oh, and privacy issues? But we need her to do that to move the plot along.

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Sweet and Fluffy - Good Chemistry of Main Romance

Completed - 12/4/2021

As part of the Sweet On series, it is to be expected that this is a light and fluffy romantic comedy. If you are not into rom-coms, it's best to not watch it, or at least don't have too high an expectation. Sweet Teeth has three main romance plots. Our three main leads all have very different professions and I am glad that we are not confined to the traditional C-drama occupations. They also have three very different romances.

The romance between Ai JinChu, a dentist (or should I say an orthopedic surgeon) and Zeng Li, a librarian/coffee shop owner, takes center stage in this drama. And their romance is really what kept me entertained throughout the drama. Their journey, from misunderstanding to being doctor/patient, to being friends and finally lovers, was satisfying and sweet. We have two pretty likable characters with similar personalities. The chemistry between them is good, and their visual is good as well. I didn't really recognize Wu Xuan Yi (FL) as the FL in Duoluo Continent. She seems way younger in DC, and she looks like the Korean actress, Jo Ba Ah, in this drama. This is my first time watching Bi WenJun (ML) and I didn't find him that handsome in the first few episodes. But then, maybe his character's personality slowly opens up and I find him quite attractive later on and at certain angles, he looks like Neo Hou. Both of their acting is decent and they make me want to root for them. I am a fan of slow burn romance, so I didn't mind they officially got together quite late in the series (at least late for a traditional rom-com).

The noona romance between Wu Ying and Lui Yu Cheng was adorable in the beginning. I am a lukewarm towards any older woman/younger male storyline. For this one, I do think YuCheng is a little too young (age 21) to be with Wu Ying (age 27). It's not the 6-year difference that is the problem, it's that YuCheng is only 21. However, both of them do have similar interests and YuCheng did appear and act very mature for his age. So, I was rooting for their romance. But personally, I feel that it loses some steam and I lost interest of their stories in the last 5 episodes or so.

I was the least interested in Ma YiYi and Deng Hao Ran's romance. I was annoyed with YiYi's personality in the beginning. She doesn't act like a 26 year-old but a teenager. However, I have to say she has the most character development and towards the end, she matures and becomes true to herself. As much as I enjoy her banter with Hao Ran, I felt that everything happened too late.

Other observations:
1) You learn quite a bit about dental hygiene and care in this drama
2) I love stories with libraries and books - I wish there's a more romantic use of books in this drama
3) I wonder if Wu Xuan Yi really did wear braces throughout the drama.
4) Why are they using so many English songs - they sound OK but the lyrics are a little weird.

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Best E-sports drama! Great combo of Friendship > E-Sports > Mystery > Romance.

Completed - 5/24/2021 (late review from my notes)

This drama is not talked about as much as "Go Go Squid" or "Gank Your Heart", however it was a great drama. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing is good and the two timelines were not that confusing. The acting was great for all leads and supporting characters. The two MLs are great and charismatic in their own ways. I find the 2008 storyline and character development better than in 2019. However, I enjoy watching them simultaneously and when they merge into 2019.

This drama's romance plays a much smaller part than in "Gank Your Heart" and "Go Go Squid". I would have loved to see just a little more of it for the main leads in the 2019 storyline, since it's such a slow burn, first love romance. Everyone talks about that passionate kiss and it was indeed good and you feel all the passion and longing after 11 years.

The world of e-sports and gaming are very well done. I enjoyed watching the CGI game play and also when the real actors are fighting. The switch back and forth didn't seem confusing but add to the story. Apparently, a lot of research was done on the game and they also invited popular real-life game players to have cameo appearances. The mystery/crime part is a surprise as I didn't expect to see that in an e-sport drama. The villain was well-acted and you can see how he turned from a best friend to an enemy.

The best part of the drama is the friendship between team members in both storylines. You feel that bond, the struggle to keep the bond going, and all the hard work that they went through. Each supporting member was given their own story and I enjoyed them all. The 2008 team members have better fleshed out characters though. The music is great. All the songs add to the feel of the drama and you feel sad and motivated and excited. There are definitely plot holes as time traveling could create that problem. I overlooked them and really enjoy this drama. I think this drama is more Friendship > E-Sports > Mystery > Romance.

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