News 
Without a doubt, this is the best Chinese drama of 2023.
Amazing series! This has been one of the best series that I have watched in terms of acting, writing, cinematography and strong characters, never a dull moment . The actors and actresses in this series were amazing especially Liu Yu Ning and He Lan Dou.Characters and character development was very satisfying, that I even feel sympathy towards the villains. Well written script and the musical score/soundtrack is so beautifully done.
It was kind of a bittersweet ending, but a happy one at the same time.
Overall I highly highly recommend this fantastic and very entertaining series.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE BEST JAPANESE DRAMA EVER!!
I won't spoil the story because I don't want to ruin it if you haven't watch this yet.To be honest, I had't seen any Japanese dramas recently, but some of my friends were really into this drama, so I decided to give it a try.
I watched Ep.1, then binge-watched up to the most recent episode. it's great, It's amazing, the whole story made me thrilled and excited. I was really curious what’s going to happen next, what happened the day Tsubaki's father was killed, and whether Tsubaki and Nao will be together or not.
This is a bit fast-paced drama, but neither too fast-paced nor too slow-paced. Some casts might be overacting, but most casts did a great job and match with the vibe.
The props such as kimino (Japanese robe) and wagashi (Japanese confectionery) were absolutely exquisite. This is not a historical drama, but we can also enjoy scenery full of quaint atmosphere.
Overall, the series is definitely worth a watch. Great cast, great story line, great music. If you are thinking about whether to watch this, just try it! I guarantee you'll never get boring, rather will have a serious craving for wagashi.
here kimino and wagashi pics :)
https://www.ntv.co.jp/watadou/kimono/nao.html
https://www.ntv.co.jp/watadou/wagashi/
Was this review helpful to you?
STORY:
For most of the drama, the story and plot lines had me hooked. It was engaging and it didn't drag much, plus, I was pleasantly surprised that there was no amnesia! Though I'm a little disappointed with how rushed and abrupt the drama wrapped up in the last 2 episodes or so, and how the last episode wasn't as satisfying as I would've liked, Cheese in the Trap was still an amazing, memorable drama-watching experience.
CHARACTERS and ACTING:
Usually in drama-land, you fall in love with the male lead instantly, or over a few episodes. However, with Yoo Jung, the male lead, he was extremely mysterious, and his menacing, confusing actions had me on my toes. I love how his personality and motives were slowly revealed throughout the drama, and I ended liking his character despite his flaws. Park Hae Jin played Yoo Jung's complex, mysterious character so, so well, and his acting was phenomenal.
For the female lead, Hong Seol, I found her very easy to relate to. She was awkward and shy, but slowly throughout the drama, she started to stand up for herself. I loved the scenes when she mustered up the courage to stand up for what as right. Towards the end of the drama, I felt that her character was a little passive, but nevertheless, I liked her a lot. Unlike some of the female leads I've seen, I didn't find her character annoying at all. Kim Go Eun was perfect as Hong Seol, and as this is her first drama, I thought she was great. Her acting really moved me (especially the crying scenes), and she has a very adorable smile!
The chemistry between the two main leads was great; they were a very cute couple. It was nice that they slowly opened up to each other and understood each other throughout the drama. Their relationship had many ups and downs, but it was realistic and believable.
I also really loved the second male leadBaek In Ho's character. He was very in tune with Seol and understood her very well. I was completely mesmerized when he played the piano!! I definitely suffered some second lead syndrome in this drama haha ^^ Seo Kang Joon was absolutely great. This is my first drama of his, and can't wait to see more. He's extremely cute!
As for side characters, all actors were fantastic. (e.g. Eun Taek, and props to Lee Sung Kyung who played the crazy, exaggerated Baek In Ha!) Antagonists came and went in this drama, but they were all very well played and easy to hate. (Oh Young Gon, Min Soo) Overall, all actors were great, and the characters as well.
MUSIC:
The OST's in Cheese in the Trap were perfection. They had a very relaxed type of vibe to it, fiit the drama very well and enhanced many of the scenes. My favourite track has to be My Time With You by Vanilla Acoustic. I just couldn't get it out of my head when I first heard it.
OVERALL:
I thoroughly enjoyed every episode of Cheese in the Trap and I'm very sad to let it go. If you want a relatable, slice-of life, romance-thriller drama with few cliches, this is the one for you! Don't get discouraged to watch this drama and just go for it! In general it was worth the watch and an enjoyable ride :)
Was this review helpful to you?
1
1This review may contain spoilers
The ending was great right ?
This series is getting better really , each episode comes with some interesting parts , mostly ep 4 they sang “ Truth in your Eyes ” from We Are the series and William Jakrapatr also appeared as a cast of this series maybe as Mokh's ex partner . In the 5th episode William appeared as Khun Rome also the first kiss between the leads took place awwwwww , episode 8 was the best one , I can't forget the way Peach talked to Thee in the whole episode and at the end Thee asked Peach to call him P'Kian afterwards he was demanding a lottt , that was so cute . Bro I didn't know that this would blow my mind like this . I am very happy that gmmtheev will produce a special episode Idk how can I even forget this one damn I liked it so much the last two episodes were so good that I can't believe.... Firstly thought that peach is very impulsive and hun thee doesn't know anything other than money but from 6th episode I totally changed my mind , Episode 10 was the best one for real , the way khun thee proposed peach and everything got aligned , awww I love this one so much..... Also Khun thee brought the whole Gmmtv from p'tha and renamed it as Gmmtheev whose idea was this , a wanna salute...... The screen writers were so great ..........I waited for each and every episode every Saturday and now I know that it is really worth it ...
Salutations to the brilliant mind behind this masterpiece. The cast delivered incredible performances, and several scenes completely captivated my attention.
Khun Thee is incredibly endearing and thoughtful, while Lookpeach excels as the strict, loving partner.
The proposal sequence is one of the finest I have ever witnessed, set against a stunning backdrop. Furthermore, P'Pond’s musical performance was exceptionally melodious and harmonious. Overall, this series is truly astonishing . ( Also gave me a quick reminder of We are the series )):))
Was this review helpful to you?
101 ways to ruin the ending.
After dropping it twice... (in just one episode). I decided to give it try just for sake of my never-ending dropping list. Now at this point, knowing how it ended maybe I should just stop caring for my dropped list.. and let me take it to eternity.Of course... this kinda story is sooo predictable, cliche, having many skippable parts, and garnished with many second-hand embarrassments moments with cringe-worthy scenes. The rich male lead who's arrogant, rude and not knowing many ways of living meets a bit silly, hardworking and poor (this is very necessary) female lead they end up being boss-employee ...fell in love.. then there's character development, some seasoning of every possible trope that any drama can have. I didn't really like some supporting roles, as some were very cartoonish, were some unnecessary.
The problem is not being predictable or tropey, it fails hard in execution. Why make leads in their 30s if their actions are not even near to their age, yeah anyone can have a child in their heart but when behavior is childish... I really can't take it. Plus many times it becomes a real estate commercial, I appreciate seeing well-architectured houses but not in drama lol if I want to see them I can easily watch shows related to it (trust me I've seen many of them lol).
Actually, I liked some aspects of the female lead's character, the main pairing had some really cute moments together and some hilarious scenes that I enjoyed fully. There's nothing wrong with casting as everyone did a great job while portraying their roles. I'll appreciate the camera work too. To be honest, I didn't notice music much, maybe only one ost 'Story Of Us' by Jo Yuri.
It was okay drama till it reached the last stage then it messed up hard... So I'll call it drop-worthy watch the first 14 episodes.. then you can imagine this is the ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
The story involves longing, betrayal, revenge, secrets, family ties, and ill-fated love. The cast does a good job of balancing really heavy scenes with funny, and sweeter scenes.
Im Su Jung was so good as naive Eun Chae, that she made some of the more over the top moments completely believable. The same can be said for the rest of the cast, including Lee Hye Young's character who I loved to hate, and showed unexpected depth.
My absolute favorite was So Ji Sub. He really played his character brilliantly. He did so much more than just cry, yell, and laugh on cue. As Moo Hyuk, he showed so many complicated emotions, and I could never predict how Moo Hyuk would react. During moments in the drama that started to feel a little repetitive, he always pulled me back in. The fact that he is visually appealing didn't hurt either.
The plot does have the privileged vs the poor, and love triangles/squares, which is expected in most dramas, without following the same path. Every time I felt the story becoming predictable, a new revelation would catch me by surprise. I also could not predict how it would all end, which was refreshing.
Some of the down sides to this drama, to me, was the laughably bad english (so distracting), Yoon's terrible singing (also distracting, since he was supposed to be a pop idol), and showing way too many flashbacks. Later episodes seemed to rely on flashbacks to fill up the time. Some scenes were repeated so often that I no longer needed subtitles to understand them. Still, I never felt like dropping this drama after becoming so invested in the characters, and what would happen to them.
I think the positives heavily outweigh the negatives. So Ji Sub alone would make me recommend it. The soundtrack was good, and included some random songs like Billy Joel's "The Stranger" (which was a perfect fit). I don't know if I can stand emotionally to rewatch the entire drama, but It's so good that I might.
Was this review helpful to you?
Overall, it's an okay drama. Did not give it a ten because it's too short. Hoping they get a second season.
If you like aggressive male lead, you will like this.
Was this review helpful to you?
brilliant
Mouse is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the dark recesses of human nature, exploring the chilling concept of whether criminals are born or made. The series revolves around a rookie cop who finds himself coming face to face with a mysterious serial killer. As the investigation unfolds, Mouse keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, blurring the lines between right and wrong while exploring the moral complexities of justice and accountability. With its intricate plot twists, compelling characters, and chilling suspense, Mouse is a standout in the thriller genre, leaving viewers questioning the very nature of humanity.This drama is criminally underrated; it is very rare to see such an elaborate plot that is put together so well. This was an emotional rollercoaster and will absolutely keep you on the edge of your seat every episode. The plot twists and misdirections will keep you guessing till the very end... Highly recommend to those who are looking for a suspenseful and exhilarating series.Was this review helpful to you?
Only in Loss do We Appreciate the Comforts of Life
From the moment I read the announcement that the ageless Jeon Do Yeon and eclectic Ryu Joon Yeol's comeback to the small screen, I’ve had it in my sights. The many teasers I'd watched since in anticipation gave me My Mister vibes, one of the best dramas ever made. The premise of Lost resonated with me in how relatable the story was of ordinary people who, despite trying their best, reach a point in life when they realize their hard work didn't amount to much.I remember thinking as melancholy and dark as things seemed at Lost's opener that it would do for me what My Mister did --shatter me to pieces before methodically putting me together again through the emotional bond that develops between two of the most unlikely people. And Lost does that and more. It took me through the journey of pain not just of our leads but all parties involved, from their vacantness to their gradual wholesomeness as they come to realize what life is to each of them. Lost is penetrating and poignant from its opening, especially in how Ryu and Jeon D Yeon and those around them deliver their roles. From the anxiety to the emptiness and loneliness, it all cuts through the interlocking issues of human nature, social relationships, disconnection from those relations, and the state of existing but not living -- drifting aimlessly through life.
Lost evoked in me some serious emotions and questions. It made me ask myself if I died tomorrow, would I be pleased with the life I've lived; would I be satisfied with the mark I left on the world, or would I even leave a mark and if I would be pleased with the relationships I've had; it gave me a lot of food for thought moments that I appreciated. What I liked most about Lost, other than the way the story was told, was that it brought one of the most prominent issues that afflict everyone the same regardless of status, class, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, or race to the forefront, the feeling of inadequacy. Being ignored, as they say, the worst feeling in the world isn't being lonely; it's being forgotten. Everyone has a secret sorrow, which the world knows nothing about. And often times, the world calls them cold when all they are is sad.
I think I can write a novel about this drama, there is so much to say but I will keep it simple. Lost will probably be one of the few dramas that will stay with me for a long time. Nothing about it was superficial, it was as real as real can be. Nothing was rushed, not the conversations or the tone, nuanced and whole. The journey, the simple messages along the way that relay the facts of life -- that the tests of life are not to break us, but to make us, and that most times, it isn't about the journey or the destination, but the people we meet along the way that can change us in ways we never imagined. It drives the message that all of us as humans have scars, fears, and pains, some of us bear them better than others. Sometimes, that pain blinds us to the pain of others, but sometimes it helps bring everything into focus. That is what Lost has done for me.
What's even more special about Lost is that by the end of it the viewer gains appreciation for all the characters even the not so likable ones. And as bittersweet as the ending of the drama is, it made sense because only in loss, do we appreciate the comforts of life. A thousand and one kudos to the writer, the director, all the actors, they each did a great job getting me as the viewer to relate to them even as I hated some of them. But the standing ovation goes to Jeon Do Yeon and the ever special Ryu Joon Yeol for the wonderful and eye opening journey -- for showing me (us) that inner peace comes when you trade expectation for acceptance. I hope Boo Jung and Kang Jae find their happiness in each other and hopefully so do Jung Soo and Kyung Eun because they too deserve their happiness . As they say, sometimes bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best thing that will happen to us. This is one drama everyone would benefit from watching. I know I did.
To read more about my thoughts on Lost check out episodic reviews here
https://www.kdramabanter.com/blog/categories/completed-dramas
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
SOKP: Where Royal Intrigues Are More Complicated Than Your Ex's New Relationship Status
HOLD ON TO YOUR IMPERIAL HATS, DRAMA ENTHUSIASTS!!!Because "Story of Kunning Palace" is the kind of show thats more addictive than a caffeine IV drip. SOKP is not your typical tea-sipping romance-infused drama, its a captivating enigma wrapped in a historical conundrum, with more plot twists than a labyrinth. Its a tale where reverse harem meets mystery, and every character is so swoon worthy, even the palace walls are blushing <3
Bai Lu, our badass heroine, here as Jiang Xue Ning isnt just conquering hearts; shes slaying political foes and looking fabulous doing it💋There r 2 handsome dudes Zhang Zhe and Yan Lin, both vying for her attention like contestants in a royal reality show. Its a reverse harem showdown & jiang xue ning is the unwitting queen bee, swatting away admirers like theyr pesky palace mosquitoes. Jiang xue nings heart is like a rubiks cube & the poor guys—Yan Lin, Zhang Zhe, and Xie Wei are all trying to crack the code. Basically its a love triangle turned hexagon.
Now our man Zhang Ling He as Xie Wei; handsome as a greek god and jaw sharper than a ninja throwing star (HAD TO MENTION THAT LMFAO) isnt just part of the harem circus. Hes the unsung hero, & a guardian angel silently dropping nuggets of wisdom and occasionally facepalming at the chaos around him. Hes the guy secretly supporting jiang xue ning like a lovestruck ninja in the shadows. Beneath his sarcastic remarks & harsh words, lies a love so deep it makes Titanics jack and rose look like they had a casual fling. It felt as if watching a superhero show where the hero doesnt realize hes the hero, and the audience is collectively screaming, "Dude, shess right thereee!!!!!!"
The Xie wei mens trio, they are real comedy gem in this drama. The hilarious sidekicks, the MVPs of comedic relief, and the reason you'll be snorting your tea while trying to keep up with palace politics.
But lets talk plot, Jiang xue ning, after a bad ending in her past life, is back in the same palace, courtesy of fates twisted sense of humor, i guess. As if someone hit the "replay" button (quite literally) on her royal misadventures, and shes trying to navigate the maze of intrigue on her own.
Xie wei, our handsome badass, is so oblivious to his own feeling, he doesnt even realize hes fallen in love. Jiang xue ning is the oblivious queen, zhang zhe & yan lin are the competing court jesters, and xie wei is the dashing main character with a heart so hidden even he cant find it. Jiang xue ning remains blissfully unaware of the love vibes radiating from him & xie wei himself is probably wondering why his heart does the cha cha cha every time shes in the room ✨😝
Theres another baddie xue shu, the queen of making you simultaneously root against her. Shes got more schemes than a bond villain. Is she the villain?? the antihero?? or just a girl boss ahead of her time?? The plot is so mysterious and intriguing that an award winning storywriter would be taking notes.
Now, lets talk about the cast; stellar performances that could make a stone statue emote. Its like watching a masterclass in acting, with every eyebrow raise and dramatic pause deserving an award.
"Story of Kunning Palace" isnt just a drama; its a royal rollercoaster of emotions, a comedy of errors & a mystery that'll have u yelling. Seriouslyy. the chemistry is so palpable m surprised the screen hasnt caught fire yet. This drama isnt just good; its SO good its suspicious. its almost like finding a four leaf clover in a field of dandelions.. rare and borderline unbelievable.
As the grand tradition of slow burns, 'Story Of Kunning Palace' leaves us with a burning desire for more, more romance, more drama, and definitely more zhang ling he & bai lu moments that have us reaching for fire extinguishers. If ur not watching this drama, ur missing out on a hilarious, heartthrobbing, and mysteriously addictive masterpiece. I had alottt of fun watching this drama so i bet u will have too!!!! so GRAB ur popcorns & prepare for a journey so entertaining, even shakespeare wouldve been jealous ;D
Signing off
Thanks for reading the review <3
Yours, Angel
Was this review helpful to you?
I blame my high expectations…
And writers who cannot grasp the idea they do not need to pair up all the characters in their dramas. It’s fine to leave some as single by the end. You do not have time to develop so many relationships and make them worth watching. Be smart, pick two and focus the story around them.How great did this show start? How happy I was with some more realistic representation of trauma and mental health issues. How happy I was with them showing how it can truly impact one’s life and it was not just used to make the romance more “angsty”. And then… it went away. After all the talks and so many great and important scenes… the topic just stopped existing and it yet again seemed like a borderline case of love can cure you.
Here’s the thing - this romance had such great potential, because all the conflicts could have been based in the internal struggles the leads had, without adding any external over the top drama. So what did the writers do? Added external bullshit drama in the last few episodes. As if there was not a lot to unpack even without it and little to no time to make it happen in a proper way and give a decent closure.
Both Bai Lang and Jin Xun An were amazingly complex and flawed characters. It was interesting to watch them on screen try to figure out each other’s feelings, but also how they themselves come to terms with this new relationship.
The side characters were also well crafted, even if some of their stories were underdeveloped. I appreciated Bai Qing and even if I did not agree with her overprotectiveness of her brother, I still understood where it came from, and it’s all I could ask from a drama. RJ and Alex were adorable and it’s a crime they did not have more screen time. I also wished they were more clear about RJ’s home situation.
Production wise it was great. Quite a few screenshot worthy scenes. Same goes for acting - great. Especially Andy Wu, damn he delivered every line, every movement and every facial expression!
Overall, great first half, good 3rd quarter, pain of the last 2 episodes.
Also, just a small, but awfully painful complaint from me: how could they NOT give a reference later of Pink Lady? How could they set it up in such a perfect way, and then not deliver?
Was this review helpful to you?
Fast Moving, Amazing Chemistry, Girl Empowering
The Autumn Ballad is an intriguing suspense romance story with strong male and female leads. Interestingly, the development of the story is almost distinctly divided into 3 sections: first section being both the main leads meeting and hating each other and yet they’re forced to work together to survive; the middle section being the main leads starting to warm up to and discover each other with many sweet moments together; the final section being they falling in love and fighting their adversaries hand in hand.Qiu Yan (Qiao Xin) is not a conventional girl of her time. Having gone through a lot of hardship and heartaches growing up, she is strong, proactive and knows how to fend for herself without letting fate dictate her. During her mishaps, she meets Liang Yi (Jeremy Tsui) who is a ruthless cold hearted investigator. At first, Liang Yi thinks Qiu Yan a gold-digger, using her dirty schemes to land a big fish for marriage. After working with her to solve various criminal cases, Liang Yi changes his view of Qiu Yen and she begins to attract him. Mutually, Qiu Yan doesn’t like Liang Yi initially because she thinks he is cruel and heartless, but after working with him for a while, she realizes that’s just a façade he puts up to undermine others. Under that face is a kind and caring person who has helped her again and again. She begins to take an interest in him. Their interactions for the first 20 episodes or so really feel like a rom-com, with smearing and sarcasms against each other which is really fun to watch.
As they begin to develop feelings for each other, a few episodes are devoted to show their romance and this thrills many viewers. After episode 20 or so, it is an open fact that they are a couple without declaring their feelings to each other but each knows the other’s heart. They are almost inseparable solving mysteries and a huge conspiracy while saving each other’s life with their own. For many romance buffs, it is satisfying to see a couple that reads each other’s mind so well, and they give the viewers a lot of sweet moments; their chemistry rocks.
I didn’t quite like Jeremy Tsui when I first watched his work in Legend of the Phoenix. His pale face, sly smile had made me uncomfortable and I wasn’t even sure if he wasn’t an antagonist. But in this drama, I find his acting very believable with his minute expressions and overall charisma. I particularly love the scene when Qiu Yan tells him she’s the girl he has rescued years ago. His facial expression is priceless. Like many viewers, I am attracted and mesmerized by his magnetic deep voice, though some viewers criticize his unclear articulation in his dialogues. This is my first drama of Xiao Xin and I find her beautiful and natural. I really enjoy watching her especially when she starts her bickering with Liang Yi. Her look and emotions are adorable and convincing. The other characters are equally well executed by the cast.
My Verdict
I like this drama very much at the beginning for the first 20 episodes or so. Though I love their romance in the later episodes, somehow, the story starts to lose its appeal in the later episodes. There are still twists and turns, but no more surprises as things become predictable. Many unfathomable logic (such as how can one work closely with a person who has just killed the person who is like a brother to you?) starts to creep in. There are various such logic flaws throughout the drama – working with someone who has killed one’s loved ones. For the later episodes, Qiu Yan seems to be smarter than Liang Yi who has been a brilliant investigator in solving cases for years, and he is supposed to be the best who can see the bigger picture instantly before anyone else can. So it seems like a change in capabilities of the characters. As with the lazy writings of many Chinese historical dramas’ endings, this drama doesn’t escape the same fate. Quite a few of the prominent side characters perish unnecessarily. Though there are many plot twists which are unexpected, I find the final twist that causes the life of one of the characters rather needless. It leaves many questions marks on my mind.
Having said that, I have truly enjoyed this drama and its conspiring couple, both witty and share the same belief. These two love birds are like a pair of duets, always harmonizing each other. It is so good to watch this type of relationship. I also find Qiu Yan very inspiring as she doesn’t leave her life to her fate - she constantly reminds the viewers that.
This is a fine drama that I strongly recommend despite some of the flaws mentioned here.
BRAVO!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Initially the drama was damn good
I was hooked up at 1st ep. The rich ceo run into an accident & met the deliverywoman in way who hospitalozed him. However he faked a memory loss(, bcoz of company politics u will understand when u watch) & hid himself into that woman house. Trust me the moments of them in her neighbourhood & home & their development of liking to each other we will gonna love it. However the story started to lose its essence after ep 14.However even if u dont want to watch the drama full i will suggest u to watch it till ep 11. Trust me u will definitely enjoy it. But yeah after ep 14-15 i myself started found the story draggy & basic. The kiss scenes were good. I liked it.Was this review helpful to you?
The story line is just amazing. From episode 1, I was captivated by the plot, making me sit at the edge of my chair, anticipating of what would happen next. Just when I thought I figured out who is behind it all, something unexpected happened and I was left at a dead end with numerous questions. Even until the very last minute of the final episode I was left awestruck. It took me a few minutes to register what happened and then everything clicked into place. Usually I am pretty good at figuring out who is bad and who is good, but this drama totally made me run around in circles.
The cast was also amazing. I have no words to describe how well everyone played their parts. Lee Bo Young played the mother soo well. The determination she showed to save her child no matter what, it felt real. She is clearly a great actress. And what can I say about Cho Seung Woo, he was just amazing!! The action scenes he did was just top notch!! Seriously can i have him protect me too? haha But in all seriousness, he did a great job!
Of course I need to mention, Kim Yoo Bin, this little 9 year old girl did such a great job. If she can act like this at such a young age, imagine where she will be in 10 years time! Oh and how can I forget Baro (of B1A4). The amount of times he made me awestruck in this drama, the way he played a mentally disabled boy, left me speechless. It is hard to believe that this was only his 2nd drama. I can say with confidence that he is going to be an amazing actor. Cannot wait to see his future works!! (Special mention goes to No Min Woo, though his part was small, every time I saw him on screen i fangirled like mad. He is just too hot x__x)
The rewatch value is also very high. There is not a single boring moment in this drama. Nothing dragged on for too long and in every episode something new came up, which helped to unfold the story and create more mystery. I would definitely watch it again if i have time.
Finally I would say, hats off to the team for creating such an amazing drama. I know many didn't like the ending and others loved it. I for one, think the ending was bittersweet. It was not overly happy, but it was also not tear jerking. Seriously if you haven't watched this drama, then please do, I promise, you will enjoy it.
Was this review helpful to you?
