Reviews

Fantastic, the (red) thread - in every respect.

I have been reading only positive critiques about “Thread of Lies” all over the place. It just took a while before I could see the KMovie for myself. Basically, all the praise has already been said. Nonetheless! The story, which is sad in itself, is told, staged and acted in just such a wonderfully clever way! Despite the seriousness of its topic, the basic attitude is positive and light. The complex and complicated underlying social and emotional mechanisms are so sensitively identified and processed, I can't help but find words of praise for "Thread of Lies" myself, too! Absolutely worth seeing! The characters, their motives and backgrounds, their conflicting feelings, the gray in the shadow, the light in the darkness, everything comes across as multidimensional authenticity.

The older sister sets out to find out the actual reasons for the suicide of her younger, 14-year-old sister. We with her. There are traces – Suspicion. Culprit. Fault. Shame. As far as the eye can see... ...including the look in the mirror. Yet, it is not the index finger being raised. Rather, there is a hand, valiantly reaching out. Powerful!
It is not about accusation and blame or justification and defense. It is like it is. It was what it was. Recognizing THAT for what it is. Not sugarcoating it. No excuses. Recognizing each individual’s own contribution to some tragedy. It's all about this. To learn something out of it? In the best case!

In this KDrama, bullying (or mobbing) comes without bloody beatings and physical violence. Rather, it is the psychological, manipulative, nastily hidden, difficult-to-understand social-emotional mechanisms that are elaborated in an extremely sensitive, comprehensible way. A girl is forced into inner isolation at an age when the peer group actually becomes more important than family. Friendship, dependence, abuse - the boundaries are not yet so clear. When it comes to that, the young are still 'children' – perhaps with high ideals already, but still without lived friendship-experience. Friendship is a word with deep meaning, a powerful concept. It is related to high hopes and yearnings. It is needed, in order to survive in this world.
In contrast, there are parents who know better and still duck away. There are bullying victims who somehow survived. Also parents, who are absorbed in their own world. And in the middle of it all, a young girl says goodbye to this world. Decided and definite. Yet at the same time hesitant, too. Desperate after all. Helpless. A 14-year-old says goodbye to a world in which the only one, who knew about how she truly felt, was a stranger...

The complex story is processed in a non-linear manner. Compact and yet differentiated. The tragedy of the unspectacular is intensified by a rather subtly developed arc suspension. Touching, but not told in an overly emotional way. And what can I say... the story unfolds in such a true to life manner that you can't even be angry with the venomous perpetrator. At least not as much as you would like...

Fantastic, the (red) thread - in every respect.


PS:
The story is based on the novel “Elegant Lies” by Kim Ryeo-ryeong in 2009. Actually, the film production had a rather low budget and its initial difficulties to get started, as the topic is considered highly sensitive, especially in South Korea. The KMovie, however, gave the lie to the doubters. The response was enormous and consistently positive.

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From 0 to 100 real quick!

Just finished this and I was left confused.
They legit kiss as strangers, and then the next day they are in love and dating like they've known each other for decades.
If the romance had any realistic progression whatsoever, it would be very normal for the main couple to share such an intense love for one another..but no.

Just a heads up, there is a 16-year age gap between the ML and FL. Although, that didn't bother me since they were both adults.

I guess my advice would be: If you want to watch this, don't try to make sense of what is happening.

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Cute, cliche, & cheesy

Likes: Darren Chen looks super cute and did a really great job at making a cheesy script a lot less so. It's a breeze to watch.

Dislikes: Do you like xtra cheese in your dramas cuz you're gonna get it in this one. The FL. She was miscast IMO.

Every cliche romcom scenario you can think of will be in this drama with plenty of cheese and corn, and yet...I still finished all episodes. ..and it's because of Darren Chen. I remembered him from Meteor Garden, but wasn't a fan or anything until now. Honestly, this drama had so many lame cringeworthy scenarios that made me either laugh at the stupidity or gag from the cheesiness, but it would have been a lot worse had it not been for DC. He somehow made most of the cheesy lines charming and cute and oh man, those gazes! Tingles. hahahaha. And he was able to create that underlying tension with the FL who in my opinion was as bland as they come.

The main problem I had with this drama was with the FL. She was entirely miscast. It was so obvious that she can't skate and can barely lift a hockey stick, yet we're supposed to believe she's this skilled hockey player that can magically get into a hockey team? I can overlook a lot of things, but when the central theme is about hockey...you need to make sure you cast someone who can sell it. And she doesn't. She also adds nothing to her character. Like no personality whatsoever. I could see any other actress playing this role.

But these two did have some chemistry and there were a lot of scenes with just the two of them so I did enjoy that aspect. Also the side stories weren't that bad either. There were a lot of things that didn't make sense to me, but that may be contributed to the fact the the subs weren't that great. Overall though, it's a light hearted drama that is easy to watch mainly due to DC, but be prepared to overlook the major flaws.

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THIS IS TRULY A FASCINATING MOVIE! At the beginning it was a little confusing and the romance was developing really quickly, but don't give up yet, cause after 30 mins the story is taking a BIG twist! From then the puzzles were putting in their place.
The cinematography was beautiful and the whole theme of a movie. It became my favourite one!

The acting was really, really good, especially the mother's. She must stay strong and do anything to make her daughter happy. The main actress did a great job potraying a sick person whose memories are dissappearing as soon as the new day come, but also a very intelligent young woman. Chao Mark was playing a two roles and he managed it to do it perfectly.

I loved the music. It will give you all the feels and the lyrics are beautiful, especially the song at the end. I couldn't stop crying and I still can't while I'm writing this review. :'(

Overall I can see myself coming back here and watching it all over again in a near future hehe ;) :D
Give it a try and believe me you won't be dissapointed! ^_^

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I finally watched this film after hearing all this hype and hullabaloo about it from my friends. I had the impression that this would be romantic or sensual ... but by the end of the film, I realized that to me, this film was about a deep friendship.



STORY-

The plot was interesting. It showed how minstrels exposed tyranny through the shows that they performed. And the shows were hilarious and bawdy and fun and campy.

My favorite moment in the film was when Gong Gil and Captain act out as two blind beggars and end up hugging on a hill top. What a beautiful moment. What chemistry. The cinematography in the film was amazing, by the way. The movie could have used more cheerful and fun interactions between these two main characters.

By the end, however, I got impatient. Maybe I could tell what was going to happen next and I was bored. I don't know. The end of the movie lost its steam.



ACTING/CAST -

Fantastic acting from the 3 main male leads.

Lee Jun Ki is so pretty... it's that great skin and his sensitive eyes. But he really was quite convincing as the fragile Gong -gil who amazingly has a lot of inner strength. It was interesting to watch the lovely Jun Ki sashay around.

Gam Woo Sung is a great actor, this I knew after watching him in the drama Alone In Love. He was really believable as the Captain. And his loyalty to Gong Gil is so touching.

And the King was in a class of his own with his psychotic behavior. Jung Jin Yeong never disappoints me.



MUSIC-

Honestly, I don't remember the soundtrack to this movie.



MY COMMENTS-

Overall, an interesting and lovely film. Great acting, an interesting and unique story line, and vivid cinematography. I don't regret watching this.

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Goodbye is not goodbye.

First I would like to say; If slow burn fluffs aren't your thing then it may not be for you. That being said, I absolutely loved it. The story, the chemistry, the music; Everything about it. Jeff and Gameplay took their characters; Marwin and Tops and made me feel very connected to them through their internal struggles of finding their passion, finding their own path in life; Marwin with his music and Tops with his cooking. All while sharing a bond with Tops' recipes made especially for Marwin, who he has feelings for but is too afraid to say so, not realizing he feels the same and vice versa.

The Ost is so beautiful, Jeff's voice is so amazing. Definitely recommend checking on his covers on youtube.

The chemistry was amazing, I would always get butteflies with every stare and touch. I would also burst into tears at the emotional moments with the way they pour their hearts into what is being said.

Sad to see it go but happy with how it ended, wouldn't mind another season in the future though. After all, Tops needs to keep those cooking skills in practice and learn new recipes to keep his future customers happy; His current day one is already satisfied with his love alone but making music can tiring on an empty stomach hehe.

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If you build it they will come.

This is a story about the Chinese dream. It is vivid, it is visceral, it is unflinching, it is moving; it is about community, sacrifice and bold dreams. It is not a fairytale.

As part of the government's fupin 扶贫 or poverty alleviation program, an impoverished village in Xihaigu, one of the least inhabitable regions of the land-locked Ningxia province, is to be resettled in Minning Town, a brand new settlement several hundred kilometers away on the edge of the Gobi Desert. Young Ma Defu, a fresh graduate and junior cadre member is tasked to convince the stroppy, irascible and rightly skeptical inhabitants of his home town to abandon their ancestral homes for the freaking Gobi desert!!! The hostile, savage and utterly desolate beauty of the terrain is stunningly captured in an arid, sun soaked and brilliant palette that immediately conveys the daunting enormity of the task ahead. The drama chronicles the immeasurable trials and hard won triumphs of Ma Defu and his team of dedicated experts who together with the intrepid, early settlers, had conviction that if you build it, they will come.

For a flag waving fupinju, this drama does not shy away from criticism - the sheer boldness and absurdity of the effort to tame the Gobi and how poorly planned and under resourced the initial effort was, the bureaucratic impediments, numerous setbacks and mis-steps, misguided policies, self serving and corrupt politicians are all scathingly laid bare while remaining focused on the main characters. Because first and foremost this story is about real people, mostly peasants who even when they are stupid and myopic, they are compellingly relatable - everybody has an aunt or an uncle or a neighbor or knows someone who is just like that. They are true backbone of resilience and endurance upon which the Chinese dream is built upon. This is the kind of drama that usually has me rolling my eyes, but in this case, practically every episode managed to move me to tears.

The standout character among the all-star cast of rivetingly portrayed characters is Rayzha Alimjan's haunting and inspiring depiction of Li Shui Hua, an ordinary peasant for whom the poverty alleviation program didn't come soon enough. Like many of the villagers, her name contains the character shuǐ 水 because water is such a scarce commodity that any name containing 水must bestow luck on the owner. But alas, her dreams are worth less than the price of a donkey and misfortunes befall the young Shui Hua. But this woman just rolls with the punches and nobly soldiers on, retaining a kind of inner joy, optimism and dignity that radiates from her dusty, sun burnt skin and labor torn body. When her dreams elude her, she moves on and sets and works toward new, more realistic goals. It is most fitting that the man with small vision tries to build her a well while the man with great vision builds her a dam. This is by far, the strongest, bravest, best written female character I have seen in c-drama. As for the actor, she was pretty great in Longest Day in Changan but this is her memorable, hopefully award winning performance.

As much as I enjoyed every moment of this drama, it took me an incredibly long time to watch it. This drama is not over dubbed and the characters speak a local Northwestern dialect that I initially struggled to understand and I really dislike reading subtitles. But I got used to the dialect after the first 8 or 9 episodes and after that I embraced the lively and colorful proliferation of local dialects. There were many hilarious lost in translation moments where the villagers struggled to communicate with experts from Fujian (a southern province) who were sent to help create a mushroom industry in their non-existent local economy.

If I must criticize, I think the drama is a bit too short and some of the time jumps at the end skip important moments in some of the characters' lives that I cared about, especially Defu. And I admit that the ins and outs of mushroom farming was too vivid and a bit too much information for me - I will never quite be able to enjoy mushrooms with the same relish again. That said, if the Ningxia vines are as resilient as the people, we may one day see some vintages of Ningxia wines that give their Bordeaux and Burgundy peers a run for their money.

Like most, this kind of genre is not my usual cup of tea. But this one is different - as a product of Daylight Entertainment, it is as close to a masterpiece as something of genre can be. It is marvelously well written and gorgeously shot, not at all dry or heavily bogged down by propaganda. At the same time, it really brings to life not just how China lifted 750mm people out of poverty (as defined by the World Bank) since 1990 (the beginning of this drama) but WHY they absolutely had to do it. It is an unprecedented achievement in the history of the world and this drama truly tells the story in a way that does it justice - from the perspective of ordinary people. Even though overall I rate this a 9.0, in many places and moments, it feels like a 10.0.

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Very fun movie to watch

If you are looking for something to watch that will give you a good laugh, this is the movie you are looking for. A fun movie to watch with the whole family.

This one is different from the first Pirates movie since everything is different.

The visual effects are better than the first movie and they made use of cg for the animals instead of using real ones. They've shown a lot of effects this time especially the fire, water, and lightning.

The actors are really great. All did their parts well even those supporting casts with little screen time. Everyone delivered well. Hands down most especially to Kang Haneul and Kwon Sangwoo. Their fight scenes are so good it will put you at the edge of your seat. Lee Kwangsoo is indeed really funny. Most of the funny parts came from him.

Highly recommended to watch.

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After watching this drama, I became certain about one thing: I am a fan of business dramas! I previously watched a couple of other productions from the same genre and liked them but I considered it a mere coincidence that wouldn’t repeat again. Obviously, I was dead wrong.

Fumo Chitai is an unusual Japanese drama (19 episodes length) but I believe that goes back to the fact that this was made to celebrate Fuji TV’s 50 years’ anniversary. Whatever the reason was, this drama was pretty well-made. This drama tells the story of man who was a leader tactician for the Japanese Imperial army during World War II but when Japan surrendered, he was considered a war criminal and had to go through a hellish trouble to go back to his country. After war, when Japan was devastated by loss and had to find a way to survive, Iki Tadashi has to live a life where he can use his brilliant mind to set the future of his country. He practically exchanged military war with economic war.
Of course, the journey isn’t easy at all and Iki has to face many ordeals to accomplish good deeds for his society. Moreover, he was confronted by greedy politicians, influential figures, people with tricky minds and others who use unethical methods while he had to keep his principles and beliefs to achieve greater good.

The reason why I became surer about my tendencies to Business dramas through Fumo Chitai is the screenwriting, there’s more wittiness in business dramas’ scripts. The screenwriter has to be very capable to keep the thrills and make the audience always interested in what will happen next using the complicated business theme. This drama’s screenwriter was pretty successful at keeping the drama captivating from the beginning until the very last end. He used “arcs” where the main character had to overcome an issue and straightly move to the next one. Certainly, all of the arcs were business themed like the defense ministry’s plane choice, the automobiles contracts, oil exploiting and so on. Without any exception, all the arcs of this drama were stimulating and fun to follow.

However, the reason that forbids me from giving the storyline and the drama a perfect score is the romantic part. It annoyed me and I am not saying that because of my general dislike for the genre but it was unbalanced. I know that a serious heavy drama like this needs a light side to it but that wasn’t cool at all, I am sure if they just focused on the family part then everything would’ve been great.

The acting was absorbing, I know Karasawa Toshiaki from a very long time ago but this is practically the first time that I considered him a high-class actor. I only thought that he was a good actor before but his performance here just engraved his skills in my mind. He was also accompanied by other amazing actors that made the acting department feel so high.
The characters were pretty well written for a business drama and their interactions were also appreciated. And let’s not forget that many foreign characters took part in this drama. However, the only spot-light character during the whole drama was without doubt Iki Tadashi, one heck of a smart male lead who always knows how to get out of troubles and bring profits for his society, company and colleagues. He’s simply a splendid man.

The drama was set from 1945-1970 or so. Thus, you can expect time jumps and somewhat old visuals to fit the drama’s setting.

Watch if:
-You like business dramas.
-You like intense twisty dramas.
-You like brilliantly intelligent main characters.

Do not watch if:
-You dislike business dramas. Seriously this is the perfect definition of how a business drama should be like.
-You’re looking for something fluffy or light.

Fumo Chitai is a glorious story of a man who reformed himself from dust in order to build his country while protecting his noble beliefs. It’s absolutely recommendable for the fans of intense, heavy and entertaining productions.

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My boyfriend is an Idol.

The series does a great job of portraying the reality of idol groups and how they are constantly under scrutiny, how internal conflicts and competition can arise and how difficult it can be to maintain unity when the industry often pits members against one another. I appreciated how the show tackled the issue of favoritism, where one member is pushed into the spotlight while others are sidelined. That’s a very real struggle for many groups.

Now, when it comes to the romantic side of the show, I have to say, I really liked it. Thame and Po are the definition of green flags. Their relationship was built on patience, care and understanding. Thame’s attentiveness toward Po, the way he never rushed him and always made sure he felt safe, was just so refreshing. Some of their scenes made me feel like I was experiencing a first crush all over again hehe. Their relationship just felt sooo pure, yet deep.

However, I do have some critiques. The first half of the show was excellent but the second half lost some of its momentum. The two episodes focused on Jun and Po felt unnecessary to me. I understand why that subplot was there and I know some people connected with it but personally, I felt it took time away from the core of the story. I would have much preferred more focus on Thame and Po’s development instead.

The breakup arc was another part that didn’t entirely land for me. It was realistic given how brutal the entertainment industry can be, a relationship like theirs was bound to face challenges. I saw it coming and I understood why it happened but at the same time, it felt a bit frustrating since their romance was already such a slow burn, they barely had time to fully be together before they were torn apart again. It created a bit of emotional whiplash for me...I get the drama of it but I wish we had more time to actually see them as a couple before the conflict hit.

That being said, the chemistry between the leads was really amazing. And the kisses left me gasping. Both actors did an amazing job, not just them but the entire cast delivered strong performances. Every character, even the side ones, felt fully realized and I liked that.

Overall, while I had some issues with the pacing and a few plot choices, I still enjoyed it and I hope to see WilliamEst in a new project again.

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Reasons why you need to drop everything and watch Life right now:

▪︎The baddest of bad, the ultimate, Jo Seung Woo▪︎

JSW's character here is one of the best drama characters I have seen in a long long while. He is such a legend. His acting is nuanced to the core. His character is the very much competent, cutthroat, focused, driven CEO who demands respect and time and time again proves himself to be worthy of the authority he has. Often he  seems quite vicious and a corporate slave through and through as he spoke to the economist in me and tried his best to maximize his profits no. matter. what. And he is hella good at what he does too which basically means he is the resident bad guy.

Everybody hates him as they are powerless to do a thing against him. But under that slick suave bastard exterior, he is compassionate, fair, intelligent, caring and has a heart of gold. Ofcourse that doesn't give way to noble idiocy on his part and just because he can beautifully balance his humane and cunning side, it doesn't mean he isn't a force to be reckoned with.

The drama tried desperately to promote Lee Dong Wook as the main male lead but while he has his moments Life is Gyu Seung Ho's playground. It's his show through and through and I loved him so incredibly much that I can't even explain it.

▪︎Bromance & Friendship▪︎

Half of the show revolves around Lee Dong Wook and his brother and their bond is so adorable, sweet and heartbreaking that it gives you all the feels. But other than that brotherhood the drama is filled with relationships, loyalty, camaraderie and friendship between characters which is so endearing and treasured in such a hostile and brutal environment.

▪︎The tension▪︎

Oof. Like all 3 of Lee Soo Yeon's dramas, there's a lot of politics, philosophical questions and moral debates in this one too. It's less medical and more focused on the power struggle between the doctors and the management. And so I understand why people think it to be slow paced with heavy dialogues but goddamnit for me it was so engaging that I was hung on every word that came out of a character's mouth. I was completely attuned to them, focused and on the edge of my seat. It holds the same gravity and feeling of importance that Stranger 1& 2 had and the epic soudtrack just enhances it.

▪︎The romance▪︎

While not the main focus, it's woven so effortlessly and gorgeously in the storyline and just goes to enhance the personalities of the characters and make them more lovable. I am also extremely happy that my ship sailed hehe.

▪︎The FEELS▪︎

The show appeals to both your mind and your heart. While there is intelligent writing to satisfy the analytical part of your brain with a lot of mental workout there's also enough emotion for you to form a personal connection with the characters. I cried so much and surprisingly every time at small subtle moments, actions and interactions that weren't even tragic or done solely for some big emotional impact. There are no deaths or tragic birth secrets or white trucks of doom or other cheesy bullshit, there are just some extremely real, flawed and well developed characters that you hurt when they hurt and you are happy when they are happy.

▪︎Badass Women▪︎

You know me. You know if the female characters suck, no matter how awesome the male leads are, I am ready to fight. Thankfully all the females in this show are strong, some kick more ass than others but overall they are all extremely likeable.

The only reason I didn't give this show a 10 (tho it was a very very close shot) is because I expected more of the ending. It's very typical of Lee Soo Yeon. Her dramas always progress in such a grim way that you are expecting the worst to happen but then she comes in and hands you a bouquet of flowers with half of them missing.

Which saves your heart from breaking but it's also a bit lacklustre. Parts of it are uncharacteristically idealistic but then parts are extremely realistic as she doesn't try to solve every issue and leaves it up to the audience. It's a little frustrating and makes me not give her a full 10 but that also means I don't dare dock more than half a point 'cause these endings are still very much infused with warmth, hope and love.

It's definitely one of the best dramas out there. The cast is the same in all of her three shows so you know they are extremely gelled in with the writer and the acting is great across the board.

A must watch. Even more so for fans of Stranger 'cause there is a cameo in the last episode that will blow your socks away. ;)

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When it rains, it pours , washing away doubts but leaving behind a storm of desire!

At the heart of this drama is an exploration of longing, love and the complex emotions that arise when loyalty is questioned. The story is an emotional journey of Hagiwara and Nakarai who navigate their changing feelings towards each other while each being in a complicated relationship where neglect and denial have the front seat. In 7 episodes it somehow manages to explore the grey areas where desires conflict with rationality and norms and also focuses on the delicate balance between self-preservation and vulnerability in the right place, to the right people.

The drama in its portrayal of cheating doesn't simply just present it as a plot twist or spicy storytelling tool, but it digs into deeper emotional undercurrents that pushed the characters to take those drastic actions.
Here, it was an expression of emotional turbulence and crisis that stemmed from being disregarded for too long. It felt like a cry for recognition, for understanding.

There is something beautifully tragic in how one person seeks solace in the arms of another, not out of malice, but out of a desperate need to be seen, to feel valued in a world that seems to disregard their worth.

Character Description :

Nakarai Sei was a walking emotional paradox. His character was a mix of emotional detachment and the tragic yearning for something more, something he can't quite grasp but desperately craves. He feels all this stuff brewing inside but he’s also scared of it, building walls to protect himself from emotions he can’t fully understand or accept. He hides behind logic and rationalization, using it like armor to push away the chaos within but it is obvious that the storm inside was only getting bigger. His ability to express conflict without words makes his character all the more compelling.

Hagiwara Kazuaki had a certain duality to him, assertive yet gentle, a man caught between his deepening feelings for Nakarai and the hesitation driven by his own fears. His care goes beyond mere tenderness, it was a constant awareness of how delicate their bond is, as though even the slightest hint of force could break it.
There’s a quiet vulnerability in him, an openness that stands in stark contrast to Nakarai’s guarded demeanor, offering a softness that Nakarai sometimes didn't know how to embrace.

The chemistry between them was both subtle and had a palpable intensity crackling beneath the surface. They had this unspoken tension between them that grew with every glance that lingered a little too long. Hagiwara’s tenderness met Nakarai’s emotional walls, creating this push and pull that felt almost magnetic, yet painfully distant. Their connection is raw, real and messy in the best way, as they tiptoe around what they both want but can’t fully reach.

The side characters Kaori & Fujisawa just didn’t click for me. There wasn’t enough time spent on them to really understand who they were or why they did what they did. It felt like they were just there to move the plot along, not adding any real depth to the character. I didn’t feel any emotional connection to them, like I didn’t like or dislike them, they were just there. They came off more like a plot device than an actual character and honestly, this lack of emotional investment left me pretty indifferent overall. They did give reasons but it was a little too late for me.

The pace was a bit too fast for my liking but I have watched now too many J-dramas to know this is how it is considering the run time.
Also, the last episode felt bit underwhelming but the drama was too entertaining for me to rate it lower!

The performances of both leads brought an emotional battle to life. I can nitpick but overall they served! Cinematography was beautiful and felt very gentle and poetic! It has that perfect J-drama vibe to it , rain serving as main progatanist !

Overall, I would definitely recommend this drama for its emotional depth and its exploration of complex emotions. While this definitely has flaws, the overall story is very gripping, engaging and thought-provoking, with an intensity that lingers long after every episodes end. If nuanced character and emotional turmoil are what you are looking for, this drama is worth your time.

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Worth your time!

The series is still on-going but I’ll just drop my two cents here. I love this cdrama! I don’t know but I like this kind of trope. It’s cute, fresh and lovely to watch.

Plot is well written- no unnecessary jump in the story. Cringey - sometimes but I guess.. that’s how cdrama is.

Actors, Yu Wen and Zi Qi’s chemistry is *chef’s kiss*. Loved that this is already their 2nd drama as couple! I love how this is kinda continuation with Once we get married- cos they literally have a son here.

Highly recommended to my fellow c-drama lovers out there! Worth your time! ❤️

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To Catch a Thief

Cui Xingzhou, the mighty Prince Huaiyang has been trying to catch a thief, the slippery bandit Lu Wen for some time. He stumbles upon a comatose Liu Mintang and like all princes, he simply cannot let sleeping beauties lie. Convinced she must be the beloved mistress of his nemesis, he rescues her intending to use her as bait. Conveniently, she has amnesia and mistakes him for her husband ! Thus this cold and formidable fief lord awkwardly assumes the persona of an indolent and not terribly successful merchant who dotes on his wife. Miantang's true colors emerge as a determined and capable business woman with an scary knack for turning hairpins into lethal weapons. It seems Xingzhou may have bitten off more than he can chew as it becomes clear Miantang has secrets and hidden depths that she herself barely remembers. Meanwhile his elaborate charade and lies keep snowballing until eventually half the town is complicit. What ensues is the kind of comedy of errors that arises when hero syndrome meets analysis paralysis. Complicating matters, her memory and past life catches up with them just as they both become invested in their fake domestic bliss and fall for each other. How will they to resolve their past grievances and make a life together as their true selves?

What I appreciate most about this drama is both Xingzhou and Miantang are grey characters who have agency if not free will. They are well matched in terms of cunning, intellect, ability and ruthlessness. I enjoyed watching them work against each other almost as much as I enjoyed their working together. As someone who loves dark characters, I wish they toned down the comedy and dived into a darker and more passionate exploration of their undeniable chemistry and stunning visuals. While Zhang Wanyi is an exceptional character actor, comedy is not his forte. His expressions and delivery is almost too textbook perfect and his comedic timing lacks spontaneity. He pauses for too long to let the punchline sink in when he should keep going as the audience already got it and is waiting for the next joke. The humor is straightforward and not that sophisticated so it needs to unfold at a fast pace to hold audience interest. To speed things along, I watched most of this drama at 1.25 speed, something I almost never do. The comedy also masks that Xingzhou is quite a dark character that does controversial things to Miantang, manipulating her to the point of gaslighting. Zhang Wanyi could have pulled off a darker portrayal in an absolutely riveting and charismatic way so that is an opportunity missed. Nonetheless, he is compelling as a powerful and complicated fief lord who to his chagrin, falls in love with the enemy; a most unlikely and unsuitable woman.

Wang Churan is a vivid beauty and her comedic timing is more instinctive than Zhang Wanyi's. Her portrayal of the amnesiac Miantang is natural and charming. However, her character transitions after Miantang recovers her memory could be better written and portrayed. Part of the problem is in the novel, Xingzhou crosses some lines that he does not cross in the drama. Thus Miantang's rage and sense of betrayal is disproportionate to what actually happened. The stabbing scene was undeserved and this kind of violence is off-putting and has no place in a story where the couple is not breaking up for good. Beyond that, Miantang is a worldly character, a rebel who was on fairly intimate terms with Ziyu without much regard for her reputation. She played in the same sandbox with the big boys so it was baffling to see her go so full on girl angry at Xingzhou, who was just doing his job. These are mostly writing issues but there is also something lacking in the acting. Wang Churan was not able to reflect the character's evolution and approached it as if Miantang became a different person. There are unspoken ways to convey that at the core, Mianting is still the same Miantang; that the person Xingzhou fell for is still there. A more experienced actress would have used micro-expressions and subtle character traits to achieve this. And then just as inexplicably after the angst drags on long enough, she becomes sweet and forgiving domestic Miantang again! Since Wang Churan is new to lead roles and she is so lovely, I am happy to be forgiving. Nonetheless this diminishes Xingzhou as a character and made him appear no less a foolish, love brain than Ziyu. I am also left with a nagging concern that Miantang may be bipolar!

Even though this drama has some interesting and unique ideas and is refreshing in the way women are portrayed, I found it to be a bland watch overall. Despite some fun and memorable moments, the plot arcs are shallow and rehash well known battle for the throne tropes. Which is fine if the character arcs are well done but while the main characters are complex, they are dumbed down by the comedic focus. Miantang is inconsistently written; she starts out as a strong and independent woman who doesn't need to get married to have a fulfilling life. She abandons Ziyu's cause without a backward glance, abandons her revenge arc after a half-hearted attempt to infiltrate the palace, takes over an escort business before deciding she liked playing house best. At the end, I couldn't figure out what she was about. The character I enjoyed best turned out to be Shi Xueji. She finds so much joy in life's simple pleasures, is resilient and her quiet wisdom and dignity impressed me as much as Miantang's inconsistencies did not. I loved how the actress conveyed a layered character with deep and moving emotions via subtle expressions and a gentle smile that radiates with unbridled happiness. I also quite enjoyed Ziyu's character but the second couple was coma inducing and completely irrelevant to the story.

The drama finishes strongly at the climax in both the conspiracy and character arc but doesn't change the fact that despite its fresh premise it did not have enough substance to support 40 episodes. It would have been a more enjoyable watch at a tight 24 episodes or if they had engaged in a deeper and darker exploration of the characters. Nonetheless if you don't over analyse, it is very entertaining as a light romantic watch with phenomenal acting by Zhang Wanyi. My rating is 8/10 but I can see romance fans rating it a bit higher.

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