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A Must-Watch for Qin Jun Jie Fans - History with a side of Treasure Hunt & Wu Xia
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75There’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; 8.5Objective 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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An Average drama with a focus on Friendship, Adventure and Growth (not romance).
Heard some good things about this Sword and Fairy 4, compared to the Xu Kai version. This drama has a strong focus on different types of relationships through the adventures of the leads. I think this is a pretty decent drama with average acting, average production value and average quality. Nothing stands out that I love big time, nor anything that annoys the heck out of me.Friendships/Relationships
The friendship and strong bond between the 4 main characters, Yun Tian He (ML), Han Ling Sha (FL), Murong Zi Ying (2ML) and Liu Meng Li (2FL) is the focus and the strength of the drama. It’s lovely to watch a period drama where these friends genuinely care and like each other from beginning to the end. It’s a relief to see no backstabbing 2FL or psychotic 2ML. The characters are very likable and they support and trust each other. Aside from the main four, I really enjoy the friendship between Yuan Tian He and Xuan Xiao. It’s a complicated friendship/brotherhood, but is also very interesting. I always look forward to their scenes together. I also want more scenes between adult ML and his father, played by the handsome and sexy Baron Chen.
Adventure/Plot
A very simple plot for a xianxia drama and not too complicated to follow. The drama is well-paced, but also feels like there are certain storylines could have been explored more. You always have the supposedly good sect versus the supposedly bad sect. If you watch enough xianxias, you know the good people are always the bad ones.
Romance
If you are not a big fan of romance but a big fan of adventure and friendship, then this is the perfect drama for you. The romance storylines are kept to a minimum. In fact, I am quite dissatisfied. I enjoy the banter and fun relationship between ML and FL in the early episodes. I like how it’s not love-at-first sight, but a slow growing affection for each other and a realization of feelings. However, there aren’t that many romantic, emotional, and heartfelt moments between the leads. They do get hurt and try to save each other MANY times throughout the drama. But I miss some of the more quiet and deep moments. Instead, it seems like FL and 2ML actually have more one-to-one heartfelt conversations. The chemistry is OK and the leads look good together. I also wanted more flashbacks of the romance between ML’s parents and Xuan Xiao.
Acting
Overall the acting of the four main leads are OK. I thought I might get more annoyed by Ju Jing Yi but she ended up being fine. I haven’t seen Mao Zi Jun in a while and I miss him. However, his acting isn’t as good as I remember him in “Killer and Healer” or “Marvelous Women”. Chen Zhe Yuan with the main role meets my expectations. He reminded me a little of his character in “Handsome Siblings” but in this drama, he definitely did better with the more emotional scenes. Mao Xiao Hui did fine as well as the 2FL. My favorite character is Wang Duo’s double role as Xuan Xiao/Xuan Ying. I love gray characters and playing two characters allows him to flex his acting chops. I remember really liking him in “Bloody Romance” where he played another gray character. I love his styling in the later episodes. But honestly, the scene stealer is the veteran actress Wang Yuan Ke as the leader of the Sect.
Production Value
If I have to say one thing I really dislike about this drama, is the dubbing. All of the actors' voices are dubbed and they pick the most annoying voices for the two female leads. The guy who dubbed Xuan Xiao always seems to be whispering instead of speaking at a normal volume. The dubbing is very disappointing to me. The CGI of the fight scenes and the monsters are OK. They are not horrible and not bad. The fight choreography is not praise-worthy. In fact, I find the fight scenes quite flimsy as if the actors are not using much strength when fighting and just mindlessly swing their swords. Costumes, hair, makeup, sets and props are of inconsistent quality. Some beautiful and nice-looking ones and then a few episodes later, they look like cheap quality.
If you read my review all the way to this part, you will not be surprised to see that I am summing this up as… a very average and OK drama. I would not recommend this if you are looking for romance (cute, fluffy, or angst). But if you want a simple adventure with a group of great friends and likable characters, then this can be an easy watch. Even the ‘evil’ characters are not that bad. However, if you have limited time, then this is not a xianxia I would waste my time on.
Completed: 3/8/2024 - Review #414
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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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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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This review may contain spoilers
Amazing, underrated but NOT a lighthearted drama - Funny, Sad, and Relatable
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75Trigger Warning - this drama covers many issues and might be difficult to watch for those who are sensitive. I’ve listed the potential triggers at the end of this review.
“Salon De Nabi” aka “Fly High Butterfly '' is an underrated drama that was not released in Korea due to the bullying scandal of supporting actress, Shim Eun Woon (Jen). The drama was released in Taiwan instead and then on Amazon Prime in selected regions. It’s really unfortunate that “Salon de Nabi” did not get its deserved release and promotion because it’s a great drama. It tackles many important social issues through the lives of the 7 individuals working at the salon and their customers. Initially, I thought this would be a lighthearted watch, but I was wrong. I did laugh a lot, but I also shed many tears for the characters. I was shocked at how funny and depressing the first episode was.
I realized that I had to pay attention to this drama as not all the events and explanations are openly and graphically shown. There's quite a bit of subtlety to the storytelling, e.g. the uncle greeting the teenager and touching her arm, the character calling out their mother’s name outside the police station and then the camera panning to the cross hanging in the car, which then reminded me the scene where the character left a cake outside their family’s door. These scenes are shown to us, but not explicitly explained.
We get to know each of the 7 unique main characters in the salon, some with a bigger focus than others. The drama uses a lot of humor when introducing them but along with the laughter, there’s a lot of tears when we learn of the challenges each of them faces. I would not have liked this drama as much if there were only funny parts.
Gi Bbeum, as the female lead, has the most screen time and the biggest character development. Her story was the first to be introduced in episode 1 and also sets the tone for the rest of the drama. It’s lovely to see how she’s changed from an introverted, quiet but hard working intern who battles social anxiety, to a more confident and outspoken designer/hairdresser-in-the-making. Despite her flaws, she’s not afraid to keep learning and asking questions. Her questions might be weird but she’s trying very hard to improve. Her romance with Moo Yeol is really cute. They’re destined to be together as Moo Yeol seems to be the only one that can understand her mumbling speech. The love confession does seem to have come out of nowhere despite the weak explanation that she might have liked him from day 1. I think Moo Yeol brings Gi Bbeum out of her shell and helps her become a better version of herself. He is quite attuned to her moods, and is not afraid to ask her questions. Gi Bbeum, though shy, is very honest with Moo Yeol.
None of these characters are perfect, and a couple might be very annoying. But these flawed characters feel relatable thus we care about them and root for them to overcome their challenges. I particularly like the odd pair of Jen & Kwang Soo. Jen is the best ‘wingwoman’ and she’s so badass. Kwang Soo is the weirdest and most self-absorbed jerk, yet he can be very perceptive and can shut you down with his no nonsense facts. I probably like Michelle and Soo Ri the least, and find them slightly annoying. Poor Teacher Woo is just there. He doesn’t get a lot of screen time or lines, but I think that’s because of who he is. This weird bunch of individuals don’t necessarily like each other and are not the found family in other dramas that give you the warm and fuzzy feeling. But when one of them is in need, they rally behind and have each other’s back. There are a few circumstances where I don’t agree with the initial reactions of the characters. But when I think clearly, their reactions and actions are very normal. These are flawed characters and it takes time for them to digest the information, but will also act appropriately at the end.
My main criticism is probably the number of issues they try to cover in this drama. Sometimes, I feel like the drama is trying to do too much, therefore, a few of the storylines are fully developed. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend this drama if you want a slice-of-life drama that covers some relatable issues in a very funny yet human way.
Other Random Observations:
1. Some bad wigs are used in this drama.
2. It’s funny how dissatisfied customers all run to the public restroom to check their hair.
3. I have enough fat girls being criticized plot, forever stay in the friend zone and have low self-esteem.
4. FL’s fake smiles are haunting me.
5. It’s so sad that a character refused to go to the hospital after being stabbed by a pair of scissors.
6. Jen & Kwang Soo’s romance could have developed more.
7. Great advice from Jen about FL’s first time having sex - looking back to see if it’s a fond memory.
8. Love the interesting way of telling the ‘origin’ story of the 7 individuals in episode 15.
9. Ep 15 is technically the season finale. Ep 16 is only a bonus episode.
10. I did not like Ep 16 - it’s all fun but I was bored because I am missing the human element of the drama. Comedy only is not enough for me.
Potential Triggers (spoilers): bullying, weight issues, fat shaming, transphobia, sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempts, depression, terminal illness.
Completed: 3/19/2023
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Disappointing and rushed Ending
Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75I’ve been putting off watching “Song of Youth” because I was worried the comedy might be too much for me, and I need to be in the right mood to watch a comedic slice-of-life drama. I finally watched it and realized it’s actually not as funny as I thought it would be. I thought it would be on par with “New Life Begins” but actually, it’s a lot less funny and only with comedic bits sprinkled throughout the drama.
It might not be official but I feel like “Song of Youth” takes on an omnibus-style, where the drama tells the stories of many characters that are interconnected. Our female lead, Lin Shao Chun, is the one that connects all the dots. She also seems to be the superwoman that solves everyone’s problems with ease. Unfortunately, I prefer all characters’ stories to be integrated and weaved throughout the drama. With such an omnibus-like style, our main leads disappear to the background for long periods of time, and only show up to save the day.
The drama starts with the romance between the main leads, Lin Shao Chun (FL) and Sun Yu Lou (ML). Their story takes up about ⅓ of the drama. From a storytelling point of view, it’s interesting enough, especially with how different they both are and the ways Lin Shao Chun wins the hearts of the Sun family and is welcomed into the family. But the romance to me is unconvincing. I do believe Bai Lu and Wang Yi Zhe acted their characters well individually. However, when they are paired together, it’s lacking in chemistry. Even though both actors are the same age in real life, Bai Lu looks like an older sister. Additionally, Sun Yu Lou’s personality is a lot more immature compared to Lin Shao Chun.
The second big arc focuses on the story of the eldest brother. This is when I started to get annoyed and bored. This arc lasted for waaaay too long. Spending another 10 episodes on just one brother and his troubles, limits the screen time for the rest of the cast, and this drama has a huge cast. I also think the drama could have done away with the story of the 3rd sister. The story of the 2nd sister only serves to highlight the 3rd brother’s personality. These two sisters are married off and were barely mentioned in the drama. Then all of a sudden, they both showed up and fought for screen time. I much prefer to have a better written plot about the eldest brother (shorter), 2nd brother, 3rd brother (longer), and maybe the parents.
In the last few episodes, I got really confused about the revenge and case investigation. I still have no idea what they did to FL’s father and how he was betrayed. What were those three 3 senior officials scheming about? In the very last episode, we finally found out who the real villain was, but it was told but not shown.
I would have given this an 8.0 for the solid acting, and actors using their own voices. But I was dissatisfied with how the last 5 episodes are written, so I am lowering this to a 7.5-7.75.
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Non-judgmental storytelling about casual sex - unique but not great
Completed - 6/9/2022Japan 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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Only watch it if you are a fan of contract relationships/marriages
Completed - 3/31/2022Contract 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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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 - 12/4/2021As 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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This review may contain spoilers
They died, they didn't die... they died, they didn't die. Did they die or not??
Completed - 5/5/2022In Part 1, I praised the drama for its beautiful and colorful cinematography and costumes. Part 2 made a 180-degree turn due to its primary setting in the wintery North. We see snowy trees and mountains, frozen lakes and a beautiful house with unique blue lanterns. The wintery scenes are definitely beautiful. However, after a while, I crave colors instead of bright, shining, white backgrounds and black costumes. How I miss the colors in Part 1!
If I base my review solely on the first ⅓ of the drama, I might have given it a 7 or 7.5 rating. The pacing is so slow. After 4 episodes of seeing our FL being so sickly, and talking like she’s half-dead, I became very bored. This lasted for about 8 episodes (too long). I did not like Dilraba’s acting and/or her character in these episodes at all, and I also became annoyed with the voice actress. Of course, this is all very subjective and you might think this is Dilraba’s best acting, as she’s not cute and innocent, like her usual roles.
If Part 1 is all about misunderstandings, then Part 2 is about who can die sacrificing themselves the most. Let’s take turns doing that! Also, did they die or not? How many times did a character die and then not die?
Our leads are not that interesting in Part 2 and I am not really feeling their chemistry. This might be due to the fact that most of the romance happened towards the end of the drama. I am actually liking the other romances. I like the weird and adorable odd couple, and the opposite-attracts couple. I think both couples are more fun to watch and have better chemistry than our main leads. Additionally, there really aren't any annoying characters. There are no evil second leads due to unrequited love not returned! How rare is that in a xianxia drama! I think my favorite character is Shunde Fairy. She’s an interesting and complicated character, and I enjoy Cristy Guo’s acting.
Costumes and accessories continue to shine. Allen Ren and Dilraba continue to look handsome and stunning. Actually, every single actress looks beautiful in this drama. Props to the make-up artists and costume designers. I love the wedding gowns with the ocean theme - scales designs and mermaid tails. Also love the sea animal sky lanterns.
The songs are the same ones as in Part 1. The more I listen to the songs, the more I like them. I think my favorite song in Part 2 is Mao Buyi’s version of 如你所想 (As you thought). The male version, to me, sounds better than the female version.
The CGI in Part 2 seems inconsistent. There are scenes when the graphics are good. But others, such as the fight in the desert between the Head Immortal Master and the Jade Phoenix was very bad. It seems like they run out of money towards the end of the drama for special effects.
Lastly, without going into spoilers, the editing on the ending could have been a lot better. At first glance, the director seems to want viewers to come up with their own explanation. However, are scenes cut due to censorship? Is that intentional? Something seems to be missing. Thanks to MDLers in the comment section, I read the article with the explanation.
It is a pity that English subtitles are not readily available yet. Although this is not my favorite xianxia drama, I think many would enjoy it.
Other Observations:
1. For someone who until recently hasn’t had that many kiss scenes in dramas, Allen Ren surely has many fish kisses here. He's a fish afterall. 😍
2. The secret room with the painting doesn’t seem to be that secretive, since so many got in.
3. Leaders in this drama like to keep plans hidden from others, and then others keep on messing up their plans.
4. Tian Jun (Heavenly Emperor) only has 2 gods to keep him company? Where are the others?
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Neither a Great Thriller, nor a Great Romance drama.
Completed - 3/17/2022I was hoping to watch a more mature BL drama, that’s not just a rom-com of high school or college students. Thus, “Manner of Death” became my choice. A crime/thriller romance drama sounds exactly what I am looking for.
Unfortunately, I am a little disappointed. I am not sure if I am not used to Thai acting, or the acting of the cast doesn’t live up to my expectations. I do not find the acting of Max and Tul, the two lead male characters, to be convincing. If I have to pick, I think Tul as Dr. Bun did a better job than Max as Tan. The drama likes to have close-up shots of the actors' faces for viewers to focus on their facial expressions. Unfortunately, the camera stays with the actors for a little too long (5-10 seconds, maybe) and their inability to convey emotions is more observable and makes me feel uncomfortable. At times, the music accompanied these close up shots made feel like I'm watching an American daytime soap opera. Of the cast members, I would say the actress, Meiko, who played Jane, is the best of the bunch, followed by maybe Great, who played Inspector M.
The chemistry of the two leads was pretty good in the first half of the drama, before they officially got together.. But when the second half focuses more on the crime investigation, the chemistry took a dip. The transition from crime investigation to the leads being flirty with each other appears out-of-place with a very sudden tone change. There aren’t enough sweet or sexy moments to satisfy the romance-at-heart, and the longing and tension from the first half of the drama are gone.
I like the general plot of the drama, a medical doctor who wants to uncover the truth of his friend’s murder. But I don’t think the execution is quite there. Our leads seem to have 9 lives, as they get hurt all the time, recover quickly, but they never die. There is a mix of predictable and unpredictable plot twists. I don’t know much about Thailand’s forensic/medical work, so I don’t want to say they are wrong. However, it does seem somewhat minimal and easy when Dr. Bun does his autopsy work. Overall, this is neither a great thriller, nor a great romance drama. It’s just OK.
Other Observations:
1. Inspector M’s uniform is really tight, showing his fabulous body. He’s the hottest guy in the drama.
2. The actress who played Jane is really pretty, both in casual wear and when she’s all dolled out.
3. Bad CPR alert!
4. Seems like a low-budget production.
5. do enjoy scenes of the small town.
6. Music is not bad. I like the theme song.
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