Low quality but fluffy
This story may seem like just another teen romance, Icicle knight in shining armour (School uniform) saves the bullied "damsel in distress". But it actually does have quite a bit more to offer and has s slightly different angle than the one we are used to seeing.Icicle ML seems to have spent 10 years completely lacking the ability to communicate when he now suddenly has to take it all at once and is therefore slightly obsessed, and oddly clingy... Hover he is very kind and we as viewers to ge too understand the reasoning behind it.
Weak ML is so weak it is almost made me wonder how he survived so far, he is however kind, forgiving and oddly enough the one character in this drama that is probably the most hard working self aware person in this drama,
The way they interact with each eother shows very clearly how people are different depending on the context they are in, and these two seem to bring out the best in each other, at least if you support clinging...
Non of them are the type to make you swoon but they do seem human , and seem to deal with their imperfections pretty well. Though I must add that the acting was far from perfect... it was still enjoyable and did not distract from the story.
The friendships in this drama are sweet and so are the parental relationships. There Drama has some tension ant there are definitely parts to make you nervous about their future parts that may raise your pulse and keep this from being too bland.
Deffenetly a decent watch, easy to bine and has lots of feel good fluff... soft clothing, soft filming, soft petals... soft cake... yep fluff all around...
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STORY:
For the most part, I wouldn't say that the overall plot of Together With Me is new or groundbreaking. What I will say is that the way the writing explores how the characters interact and solve problems throughout the show is what makes this series so amazing. The story starts with the two main characters, Korn and Knock, and how they go through struggles both environmentally, socially, and emotionally to finally come together as a couple. Also a main character, Yihwa, is Korn's best friend and is a strong supporter of Korn and Knocks relationship. The 3 main cast members are joined by Fai, Farm, and Phu who are all neighbors in the same dorm. The drama does a great job of focusing on Korn and Knock, but also focuses on the side stories of the other cast members. This is done extremely well as the writers tackle issues such as homophobia, family ties, ageism, monogamy, vanity, and promiscuity. Each of these issues are divided evenly (and sometimes shared) with most of the cast, with the exception of Yihwa's character being written in the story for more of emotional support and as an ally. I gave the story the score of 9 only because I felt that at times it was a bit inconsistent or the timing was rushed in 2 or 3 episodes. I also felt that they rushed Farm's development and almost had no development for Fai's character at all (here's hoping for another season). I also enjoyed the supporting characters of Bright and Kavi who were Farm's and Phu's love interests respectively. Farm and Bright's story in particular was left open-ended, and I hope that this series will have another season just so we can have closure with that story-line.
ACTING:
I have to say that I was BLOWN AWAY by all of the actors in this drama. They really gave so much life and layers to their respective characters! Especially Yihwa who always steals the screen with her charisma and engaging personality. But If I had to pick a standout character out of the 3 mains I would definitely give all the praise to Korn's character (Played by Max). His character took every scene and made you feel every moment as it were really happening. Whether it was a happy, sad, or sensual scene... Korn's character had you believing every moment. Knocks character was also really well acted, and Knock's intimate scenes with Korn are OUT OF THIS WORLD! If these actors aren't LGBT+ in real life they sure had me fooled! One of the reasons I say this drama is leaps and bounds above other college-setting Thai BL dramas is because of the convincing and extremely well-choreographed sex scenes, Like WOW!!! If you want a drama that quenches you boyxboy thirst, has a good plot, and amazing acting... Together With Me is it for sure! All of the other cast members give amazing performances. Especially Farm's character who does a heart-wrenching job at playing a cute, innocent small-town boy who is in love and exploring his sexuality.
MUSIC:
All the music in this drama was really good! It went well with all of the scenes and I may even want to download the soundtrack if I find out how.
REWATCH VALUE:
This drama is for sure and an easy rewatch for me. I have fallen head over heals for KornKnock and I honestly want to see more of them! Their chemistry is just so amazing and I really hope this series gains a big following so we can get another well-deserved and much needed followup season!
OVERALL:
This is series is a MUST WATCH for all BL lovers. It hits all the right spots and leaves you wanting more! I highly recommend it and I promise that you'll be hooked!
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After finally being pushed to her limit, and after more than one failed suicide attempt, she does the last thing she feels she can do to live a happy life. The story following the surgery is about her journey to accepting her new self while not completely forgetting her old self.
Acting/Cast: I loved the acting and the cast.
Kim Ah Joong did an amazing job of portraying an overweight person, and an amazing job of portraying the skinny person she becomes. In most shows/movies like that, the girl is instantly 500% more confident, while Kim Ah Joong still had to get used to people not gawking at her for being the "ugly, fat chick." Even little things, like learning to walk in heels, were a joy to watch.
I'm still unsure about Joo Jin Mo's character. He seemed to have two different opinions depending on who he was with, so I wasn't really sure what think about him. I suppose, if I ignore the fact that his character confused me, I can easily say his acting was amazing.
Music: Loved the music throughout the movie.
Rewatch Value: I could definitely see myself rewatching this movie often. Definitely. The last 10 minutes or so of the movie (mostly the speech in particular) had me bawling. Just full-on bawling.
Overall: Overall, even though I loved the movie, I had to give it an 8.
While the character herself makes it known that the surgery is for herself, and not for anybody else, it doesn't erase the fact that, ultimately, this was a movie about a person who's life becomes better only after becoming pretty in society's eye. It's just not the type of message I enjoy seeing in the media.
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1For clown and country.
Fighting For Love is a drama adaptation of a novel with the same Chinese title Ā Mài Cóngjūn/阿麦从军 or A Mai Joins the Army. The novel enjoys an impressive 8.6 score on Douban. It is a female centric story about A Mai, an orphaned noblewoman who seeks justice for her family's betrayal. She joins the army and works her way up to become a fierce and undefeated general. She discovers a greater purpose along the way, which is to defend her country. This takes place during the Northern and Southern dynasties, a period of war, chaos and political turmoil. It is not a romance and there is no real male protagonist; it is about one brave and patriotic woman's awesome journey. I abandoned the book because of its intense and graphic focus on war.Clearly the original story does not fit with the typical male-centric costume drama formula with plenty of romance tropes. What a breath of fresh air, right? Wrong. In the adaptation, Shang Yizhi is elevated to male protagonist and his story arc is as central as A Mai's. Which in and of itself, is not a terrible thing. Like A Mai, Yizhi has a hidden identity and was a victim of foul play. His cause becomes hers as she rescues him and helps him outsmart his enemies. She discovers her military prowess, forms life and death bonds with her troops and finds meaning in defending the citizens of Nanxia. They have a shared purpose and are catalysts for each other's growth. It is natural for attraction or feelings to develop between them though it does not need to be romantic.
The critical fail in the adaptation is they wrote Yizhi as a kind hearted and playful anti-hero character. While some of his comedic scenes are witty and funny, this diminishes him into a parody role. This should be a complex character who does consequential things; a once carefree young nobleman whose world changes overnight. Instead, the writers stuck him with a love brain and Peter Pan syndrome until the final arc. As he is pushed first to survive and then to reclaim his birthright, all of his motivations continue to simply revolve around A'Mai. A character that chooses each time to save the girl and let the world rot does not deserve to end up where he does! This devalues A'Mai and the Zhenbei army's achievements and sacrifices into a fight for clown and country. Even though he becomes morally ambiguous and utilitarian at the end, this evolution is too abrupt. His character progression should have begun well before he returned to the capital. Zhang Haowei did his best with this role but the character is just too poorly designed.
A Mai is quite consistently written throughout even though it is difficult to connect with her feelings for Yizhi. Even though she is too lovely to ever be mistaken for a man, Zhang Tianai does a wonderful job with the role. Her mannerisms are very masculine and she literally shakes with rage and hatred in her scenes with Chen Qi. Best of all, she is no Mary Sue in need of constant rescuing even though all the men fall for her. She just has terrible luck with men; she gets involved with a backstabber, a clown and an enemy with a choking fetish. The one good man she meets is brother-zoned, father-zoned and what happens to him is definitely over-kill. Chen Qi is the most interesting and conflicted antagonist and his and A Mai's story is really sad. Wang Ruichang is very charismatic and the fan favorite but his Chang Yuqing has no development and no real story arc. He just pops up whenever something needs to go wrong for the leads.
The first few arcs of this story are quite good and the cinematography and action scenes are pretty awesome. The story falls apart mid-way and snowballs downhill into the palace arc. It is yet another perfectly good drama that is ruined by ignorant and silly romance writers who can't write palace intrigue (i.e., Destined, Legend of Zhuohua, Wonderland of Love etc etc). This arc is ridden with predictable villains, plot holes, clichés and a flabby dancing emperor who looks like a sloppy fashion mistake. To my surprise, the story comes together again in the final episodes to end fittingly and on a strong note.
It is not easy to rate this because there are many good parts. The first 12-15 episodes and the ending is good and worth ~8 but the middle and dreadful palace arc are only worth ~6+. I think ~7.5 overall is fair but I am only going to call it a 7.0 because the production deserves to be spanked for desecrating a fantastic novel.
Scroll down for SPOILER ending thoughts.
ENDING SPOILER
The final showdown between A Mai and Chen Qi is exciting and moving and it finally gives her closure. Poor Chen Qi is such an interesting, conflicted and ultimately tragic character it is a shame he was not better fleshed out. In the end he probably loved A Mai best.
I don't believe it is in character for A Mai to go off with Chang Yuqing at the end. His feelings for her are not better developed than Yizhi's and at least in the drama, they are one-sided. He is a rising star in Beimo and if A Mai were to marry him, she would have to defect to the enemy to be another caged bird as the wife of a Marquis. After just escaping the terrible fate of being the favorite concubine of an emperor?!? As advisor Xu points out, the countries are at perfect stalemate because their top generals A'Mai and Chang Yuqing don't really want to fight each other. There is peace with them glowering fiercely at each other across the border. A Mai is simply setting off for a well earned 3-year vacation while Beimo's internal palace politics play out. It is a perfect, strong independent woman ending in the spirit of the original novel; one that says A Mai does not have to be someone's arm candy to have a meaningful life.
X
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I consider Eriko Kitagawa one of the best drama scriptwriters. She has the ability to pick up an ordinary event and make it into an unpredictable twist, all with a subtle calm pace which makes you restless. This plot is made of little hints: a word, a glance, a brief scene. There's no abundance of words, each line carries its meaning into the silence that follows.
And the actors get inside their roles brilliantly, creating around them an aura of mystery which makes you grope in the dark as to who did what and why.
The cinematography is scanty and sober, totally devoid of gloss. With the exception of the very effective close-up shots of the characters and the use of the light, it doesn't rely on beauty. Oh, the actors are beautiful all right. Kimura Takuya and Fukatsu Eri in particular are wonderfully intense, together as well as individually and play their part so well I was left speechless more than once.
The same scantiness applies to the music. Used with economy and without much variety, it manages to create the right expectations at exactly the right moment.
When all this is said and done, I am left with only one question: did I personally like this drama? The answer is: no. Did I fall in love with any of the characters? No. They intrigued me, fascinated me even, but I didn't like any of them, and felt somehow totally detached, despite the high-voltage chemistry between the leads.
I marathoned through the drama in 2 days, which is proof of its being a very well built thriller. Once started, you want to know. However, because I felt neither identification, nor true compassion or love for these people, it's as if I had read a very interesting and brilliantly written essay on human nature but was happy to see it end. The ending came to me as the only possible solution: a destination this journey was destined to land to.
Therefore, I recommend this drama to only a few people. Forget brightness, sunny love, suspend judgment and value this for its intrinsic quality and you will appreciate it. If you're not ready for a trip down dark lane, I suggest you stay well away from it.
I am certainly not going to repeat the experience.
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Joo Won is a great actor. His portrayal of genius, autistic Park Shi On is really well done. I don't think that is an easy part for anyone. I have seen almost all of Moon Chae Won's dramas and I find her acting to be believable. She didn't fail to be believable as Dr. Cha. I was really ticked at her at some points in this drama and I think that is due to her great acting abilities. The other actors were also good in this including Joo Sang Wook and Kim Young Kang. I adore Ko Chang Seok as an actor. He is really good in all the dramas that I have seen him in. It was cute to see a cameo of Park Ki Woong in the last episode. Joo Won and he must be really good friends. Too cute.
The music is good and appropriate.
I might rewatch this in the future.
If you like an underdog story, then you can't beat this drama. I highly recommend it to everyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
Started solid 10, superb chems with obviously visual couple, but the last 5eps wrap up was bad!
What I luv:- The leads… their visuals, their chems, their acting, their characters really suit them perfectly… not a fan of noona drama, but since YM doesn’t age like normal people do, they look good together… n Xukai is just so dreamy, even with his goodboy haircut…
- The plot… i always like the opposite attract kind, n this is a fresh way where the woman is the ambitious workaholic one n the man is the stay home caring one… the way they hate each other first, then tolerate, admire, like, support, get in a contract married n fall in luv afterwards… it’s a development in a relationship that i like to watch…
- The background story… FL is a lawyer, so the stories r mostly about her cases n how she tries to climb on top in this supposedly man’s world… i always like watching this genre, how they investigate things, how tricky n bad people get to achieve what they want, etc… it’s interesting…
- The casts… i like ML’s BFF & ML’s dad, they r so funny n loyal to ML… i have mixed feelings about FL’s BFF, they had moments in earlier eps n then her existence is almost none unless she had probs with her hubby which is FL’s bro… I even thought that LiDai was gonna be the villain, but turns out she turns out to be an interesting character which is on good terms till the end with both leads… the associate lawyers small talks where they gossip about what happens at the office is always an interesting scene…
- The writings r mature, not cheesy…
- The way they r not connected in anyway in the past… this annoys me lots of times when suddenly they were childhood friends or something like that…
What i hate:
- Everything starting eps36… suddenly they get divorce? Unnecessary drama IMO… N not that many screen time together for the leads untill the reconciliation in the last 5mins of the final eps40… n the reunion was just flat, they met again coz he moved in as her next door neighbour after 7months apart, somehow they just got back together n no explanation… why did they get divorce in the first place anyway? This wrap up just *sigh…
- They didn’t give ML a proper comeback story related to his career… people looked down to him since the beginning coz he’s jobless n always stays home (he still earns money from trading)… so IMO he should get a scene where he rises back on top n everybody found out about it, at least her family&her ex! instead we only get him to tell FL about his accomplishment… i know he doesn’t care about what other people think, but still i wanna see a glimpse of his success in the end…
- TJH, the FL’s ex, with his fiancée r both equally annoying… he’s a grown up, who couldn’t stand up for FL when they were together… n now he wanna play a hero for FL while his fiancee turned out as the big bad wolf to FL becoz of her jealousy… their presence annoy me most of the times…
I just freshly finished this n i wanna share a bit of my disappointment… it started with a solid 10, but with that last 5eps I could only give it 8.5… overall i’d still recommend it though, especially if u like the genre or at least one of the leads, coz they look so amazingly cute together… n as much as i hate the last 5mins reconciliation kinda drama, at least it’s still a HE? N keep in mind, it’s a solid 10 till the last 5eps… I just wish they give us a good wrap up! I’m hoping for a bit miracle where they have an extra eps of their cute deleted scenes, or even better, the actual epilogue of their happy ending life after their so called reconciliation scene in eps40… 🤞🤞
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Start for the comedy, stay for the drama and end with frustration
So back in 2018, there was a tv show called "Legend of Fu Yao". And it was pretty great. Good story, interesting storylines and characters. Good acting. It had it all going for it. It got a little messy with some side stories, but the main plot was worth it so I watched that show for 60+episodes. And I got rewarded with the final episode wrapping up the final plot leaving behind gaping plot holes, in a weak conclusion that took 10 mins and a 45 second shot of the "Happy Ending for the heroine and hero". I was so angry. And now, whenever a promising show with everything going for it, pulls a "quick, conclusion without a satisfying ending", I call that "Pulling a Fu Yao". And that's exactly what this show did.They pulled a Fu Yao. The first 21 episodes are worth it. They've got good pacing, a reasonable plot and the actors are interesting to watch. I don't even mind that (SPOILER ALERT), they don't end up together, something that is actually foreshadowed in episode 15 when Wang'er shows Shiyi the last episode of his play "The Heiress" and his female protagonist doesn't end up with her Prince. But Shiyi and Yanyi's split happens ridiculously quickly with very little build-up, and Wang'er's contribution to it seems stupid considering that he fesses up to it as she's leaving, but by then she's had enough.
The final scene of them ALMOST meeting and missing each other is just CRUEL to the viewer.
I don't think I'd watch all of it again, but I'd watch certain scenes that I really enjoyed. And the only reason I'm not more annoyed at this drama is that I only had to sit through 24 episodes to get a dissatisfying ending, and not Fu Yao's 60+
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Be careful what you wish for...
...because it might just come true. The Witch’s Diner is an urban fantasy that revolves around the arcane ways of contemporary witchcraft. It combines the supernatural with slice of life, and includes elements of a mystery as well as romance. In addition to the dark arts, the culinary arts are featured prominently through the variety of delectable gourmet dishes which are central to the core narrative.The concept is straightforward - customers make a wish at the eponymous restaurant, and the resident witch-cum-masterchef will magically prepare a unique dish accordingly. Eating the dish will grant the wish but not without a price in return.
Following the TVING brand revamp in 2020 after the joint venture between JTBC and CJ E&M was finalised (and most recently Naver bought into the venture as well), the streaming service currently provides premium content via paid subscription. Included as part of its original programming for 2021, this drama certainly reflects the production values strived for by the streaming service. The overall quality and technical aspects, including the visual effects, are unquestionably well executed. The art direction and the production design are quite impressive, in particular the diner which has been sumptuously remodelled to induce a palpable gothic atmosphere. I’ve enjoyed the cinematic grading as well as how the colour palettes seamlessly contrast between darker moments and the more lighthearted scenes.
Similar in premise and tone to other stories that deal with paranormal activities, such as Mystic Pop-up Bar and Hotel Del Luna, this drama falls somewhere in the middle in terms of its plotline and themes. It isn’t spine-chillingly frightening or morbidly infused with gore and horror, while at the same time it is slightly melodramatic with a number of poignant moments that may induce a tear or two. The overarching mystery concerns who the witch is, how the “wish-fulfilment” service came about, and how the ML and FL are connected to her. Along the way, we observe mini story-arcs of folks with problems who somehow end up at the diner seeking otherworldly solutions to what ails them.
At a relatively short 8 episodes, the storytelling is compact without the intrusion of unnecessary fillers. It is engagingly paced where the drama takes its time to explore the backstories of the various characters. It’s worth pointing out certain themes that may trigger such as abuse and bullying. The sense of tension and anxiety are sufficiently imbued into the story as it unfolds, and continues to build right to the climactic end.
The performances of the cast certainly deserve praise. I’ve truly enjoyed Chae Jong Hyeop’s emotional depth through his nuanced characterization as the noble and warmhearted Lee Gil Yong. I feel he is more suited to this role than the one in Sisyphus: The Myth. Nam Ji Hyun displays impressive range in her depiction of the conflicted Jung Jin, a character that goes through much adversity. The role of Jo Hee Ra the witch is played by the experienced Song Ji Hyo. Despite looking very much the part, I do feel that the portrayal is rather understated because of how the character was written - unlike other similar dramas, Jo Hee Ra isn’t an outrageous OTT character that’s loud or stands out from the crowd. She’s probably the most down-to-earth witch I’ve ever come across in a drama. I do however admire her avant garde fashion sense and found myself chuckling at her portrayal of a younger self.
Special mentions go to a number of supporting and guest stars who make their appearances in this production. These include So Hee Jung who plays FL's mother with such conviction and relatability. Ahn Eun Jin, the musical actress who delivers a fantastic solo rendition in a stage play, as well as Lee Joo Shil and Im Won Hee who portray mother and son respectively in one of the more heartbreaking scenes in the drama. I was actually taken aback by how good he is in dramatic capacity compared to his somewhat more comical role in Dark Hole.
The soundtrack features a total of four songs that fits the mellow undertone of the drama, with the exception of YESEO’s Fair Dish which provides an interestingly magical and mysterious vibe with a hint of mischief.
1. Se.A – Holding On
2. JUNNY – Alone
3. YESEO – Fair Dish
4. Han Seungwoo (VICTON) – Please
All in all, I would classify The Witch’s Diner as a healing, introspective and evocative drama. It's perfectly understated without all the fanfare and light enough to be enjoyed without heavy exertion. I certainly savoured the experience.
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Artistic, Beautiful, Classy, Elegant, Humorous, Sweet Romance, Mysterious
A Dream of Splendor is an adaptation of a very beloved classic story written by a playwright in the Yuan Dyansty (c. 1271–1368). The original story, titled 赵盼儿风月救风尘, in short “Saving the Courtesan” (救风尘), tells the story of Yinzhang marrying a man who forced her into prostitution. Zhao Pan'er came to help her by seducing the man into signing the divorce paper. Yinzhang later married the upstanding scholar who Zhao Pan’er was in love with. The story was so inspiring that over the years, it has been adapted into movie, TV series, dramas, plays, Chinese operas (越剧), and even into a comic book (manhua). In A Dream of Splendor, romance and politics are added to give it a complete flavor for today’s audience.Though fictional names are used, this drama is said to have set in the Song Dynasty, around c. 1019, during Emperor Zhenzong’s reign. The Emperor was sickly and his Empress, Liu E assisted him in the ruling, handling various state matters. Having a less than pristine family background, court officials had divided opinions of the Emperor taking Liu E as the Empress. In this fictional story, the Empress was an entertainer in the past, and her image was captured in a painting as she was entertaining her host and guests. As a Secret Service for the Imperial Palace, Gu Qianfan (Chen Xiao) is ordered to retrieve the painting before it’s fallen into the hands of those who want to use it to expose the Empress of her past.
While searching for that painting, Gu Qianfan crosses path with Zhao Pan’er (Liu Yifei). After saving Gu Qianfan when he is almost killed, Zhao Pan’er comes to the capital city in search of her fiancé, Ouyang Xu (Xu Haiqiao), together with her best friends, Song Yinzhang (Lin Yun aka Jelly Lin) and Sun San Niang (Liu Yan aka Ada Liu). Each of them has had gone through the worst of their lives: Sun San Niang is jilted by her husband and denied by her son and she attempts suicide, while Song Yinzhang is abused by her gigolo husband. Zhao Pan’er has rescued both women while going through a breakup with a relationship for three years. The trio decides they need to maintain their dignity, depend on themselves and will not be subjected to the manipulation of any men. They first start a small and elegant tea house, and later run the most talked-about restaurant in town, employing the skills each possesses – Zhao Pan’er’s art of tea, Song Yizhang’s talent of the pipa instrument and Sun San Niang’s outstanding gourmet cooking.
Zhao Pan’er has a modern-day business acumen. She turns her adversaries into her allies. She is good in putting two and two together to figure things out. She is artistic, intelligent, and fast witted. In this drama, she ends with the best love of her life whom she deserves. Liu Yifei’s acting is natural and amazing. Her charisma exudes elegance, beauty, grace and calmness.
Gu Qianfan is a ruthless, intelligent head of the Imperial Guard, and he can fight very well. Chen Xiao’s portrayal is convincing and natural, and most of all, he has an undeniable amazing chemistry with Liu Yifei. Their dynamics are over the top, and their romance is sweet and real.
Other cast members are just as good and convincing. Here we have a comedic character, Chi Yanei (Dai Xu), to light up the mood and add colors to the story. There’s a lot of growth with the main characters, in particular with Song Yinzhang who grows from a naïve gullible girl to an intelligent decisive business owner.
My Verdict
As lovely as the romance in this drama, this story is about courageous women helping and saving each other from their most egregious times and conditions. It is heart wrenching and anguish to watch the reality of life for ancient women and such trend is still persisting in today’s world that women are still being treated harshly and unfairly, in particular in light of the recent abortion ban in the USA.
The 2001 version of the drama starred Le Jiatong as Zhao Pan’er and Fan Bingbing as Yinzhang. In this earlier version, there were no Gu Qianfan nor Sun San Niang. The two female characters were flamboyant and very strong since the beginning, especially Yinzhang. Their costumes were colorful and tawdry as they were dancers. The music and dances were some of the most beautiful scenes to watch and are commendable.
In A Dream of Splendor, the Ouyang Xu character is being vilified (vis a vis the scholar that was loved by both women in the earlier version), and the women’s characters are subdued and more dignify, giving them more class and elegance; Zhao Pan’er’s expertise in the art of tea and Song Yinzhang’s brilliance in playing the pipa instrument. Any viewers will be mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of these ladies when they execute their exquisite art forms. I like the way the characters talk, softly, and directly without beating around the bush nor losing grace, and without fear nor hypocrisy. The drama explores the main five senses of our bodies with some more in-depth than others: visual, sound, taste, touch, smell. Though the story and plot are not perfect with a lot of unplugged holes, the romance is warm and desirable, the aesthetic value is one of the best (Zhao Pan'er's art of tea, her dancing, visual of Yinzhang's pipa playing etc), and the instrumental music and OSTs are excellent.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable drama for all romance buffs and for viewers who appreciate the beautiful things in life. Don’t miss it. BRAVO!
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Sweet, Fun, Rom-Com
This is a low budget web drama that hardly has any promotion and goes under many viewers' radar. It is a non-serious romantic comedy, and initially, I thought I wouldn't like it. Somehow, though an easy-to-follow story, there are some twists and turns, mysteries and crimes, and a big overall conspiracy that really got me hooked on.The acting is more like a high school drama - playful and silly. The names of the characters are hilarious to say the least. The Chinese characters used in Zhao Cuo's name have the homophone with the meaning "wrong anyway", whereas his father's name Zhao Juan Dui literally means, "All correct". The play of words in the dialogues with the names is simply hilarious.
Despite being a very light-hearted cute drama, there are some really wonderful moments, especially between the main leads and the dynamics between Zhao Cuo and his parents. With all the bickering and playfulness, Tian San Qi and Zhao Cuo have good chemistry together. I also love the side couple Bai Yi Fei and He Ruo Yao. Though very good looking, Bai Yi Fei is like a piece of wood and is very cute and funny, and He Ruo Yao has a wonderful female personality that I love.
I love the songs sung during the moments when one thinks or longs for the other. The melodies are contemporary love ballads which are very beautiful. Of all the songs, I fall in love with a nursery rhyme that is repeatedly sung by Tian San Qi and Zhao Cuo for each other; it is one of the most adorable nursery rhymes I've ever loved.
My verdict: If you don't have any other dramas to watch, or waiting in between dramas, "I've Fallen For You" is a pleasant one to watch given its light-heartedness and a short series.
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This is an original fantasy, wuxia drama featuring many new faces in the entertainment world. The CGI is wonderfully done. In fact, I will go so far as to say that the CGI in this drama exceeds those of Ice Fantasy. It is not overly done and the scenes moved fluidly without any odd pauses when CGI was used; lending it a more believable air for a fantasy drama. The story is wonderful and it keeps you wanting more at the end of every episode. My congratulations to the author!
Acting/Cast: The hero in the acting cast is Zhang Ruo Yun who acted as the male lead, Feng Tian Yi. He's relatively new to the entertainment world but those of you who had watched Wuxin: The monster killer, Legend of Green Hill Fox and Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds would have noticed him. In Novoland, his acting is considered the best amongst the leading cast. His leading lady, Guan Xiao Tong (as Yi Fu Ling) may have acted in more dramas than him, but her acting left much to be desired. She's not very good in expressing herself and often have a rather stiff face; giving her acting an air of immaturity. The second male lead, Liu Chang as Bai Ting Jun was equally bad with expressions and together, they form what I called "The Frozen Faced Couple" in this drama. Ju Jing Yi from SNH48 surprisingly acted well in her role as the jealous rival of the female lead. Despite her first time acting in a notable role in a drama, her acting surpassed that of the female lead. Chen Ruo Xuan as the bumbling genius inventor Yu Huan Zheng is another good actor, providing the much needed supporting role and the unexpected heroism for the drama. The mature actor who acted as the Regent uncle to Feng Tian Yi is also another actor deserving kudos for his acting.
Music: Good enough but I'll go out in a limb here by saying that I am not a fan of TFBoys and their songs.
Rewatch value: I find myself absolutely sucked in by Zhang Ruo Yun's strong, obsessive, brilliant and assertive character in this drama. His love for Yi Fu LIng/goddess is so all encompassing. The way he looked at her, the way his lips briefly lifted at the sides as he considered her, the way he 'tortured' her, the way he literally inhaled her and wish to possess her.....Zhang Ruo Yun had created a very sensual and possessive chemistry based on his acting alone! Thanks to his acting, it made the sub-par acting of the female lead more tolerable. I would re-watch all the parts in this drama where he interacted with the female lead.
Overall: In summary, this drama would have scored a higher rating if the role of the female lead and second male lead were given to more experienced actress and actor who can actually act. However, the unique story keeps you wanting for more and managed to grab the audience's attention until the end. A good production that deserves more recognition than the other bigger budgeted fantasy-themed drama featuring big names such as Ice Fantasy, Legend of Chusen and Demon Girl that were airing at the same time this drama was aired. If you are hesitating which one to go for, I recommend that you give Novoland a go!
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Fresh twists on old cliches.
At first glance, Autumn Ballad looks like just another light historical romance featuring a strong, independent heroine with 21st-century attitudes and aspirations. Yet with a chock full of fresh twists on old cliches, this manages to surprise and delight with an all too familiar tale of a lowly illegitimate daughter who finds love most unexpectedly on her quest for self-determination. This well-told story with an authentic voice is carried by Xu Zhengxi and Qiao Xin's heartfelt performances which make me invested in their characters before I even like them.What I like most about Qiu Yan is that she is really not that nice or always that smart. Phew, what a welcome relief from the all too common suffocatingly flawless heroines. This is where notably Yu Zheng's recent, much higher budget projects fall way short by comparison despite big-name actresses. Trapped and exploited by her low birth status, Qiu Yan is the anti-Cinderella - her stepmother is her fairy godmother; she gives as good as she gets to her step-sisters and her mysterious prince leaves her a fan at the stroke of midnight. She tries for the best hand from the cards she is dealt and if she has to use a few people or step on toes along the way, so be it. She can be as harsh, selfish, and unforgiving as she is brave, capable, and loyal. She schemes, miscalculates, and makes mistakes with real consequences for herself and for others. I don't always like or agree with her but can understand her desperation and humanity.
Liang Yi is a pretty gray character which makes him my kind of male lead. Beneath his icy, civilized veneer he is a calculating, manipulative, ends-justify-the-means kind of guy with an agenda and he plays a long game. His path crosses with Qiu Yan repeatedly over the course of his investigations as head of the powerful Firewood Bureau. From the get-go, Liang Yi sees through Qiu Yan's machinations with contempt and tries to frustrate her designs on Qin Xuan. But he stops short of throwing her under the bus, perhaps in silent acknowledgment of his own utilitarian nature. When their interest align they agree to collaborate and are unflinchingly honest with each other about what's in it for them. In doing so, they also reveal the better sides of their nature and as they grow on each other, I fall for them. Qiu Yan is no damsel in distress in need of rescuing and Liang Yi can be as much cad as a knight in shining armor. They are kindred spirits and when they join forces, the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. It is inevitable that conflict and antagonism spark mutual awareness and passion. Their repartee is witty and the dialogue humorously highlights universal truths about human nature and the role of women in society. Is it too contemporary to be realistic? Probably but who cares?
This drama ought to be the gold standard for how realistic, believable relationships should be developed and portrayed. Xu Zhengxi really captures the essence of how Liang Yi's feelings for Qiu Yan evolve from dislike and distrust to grudging respect and consternation when it dawns upon him that he added to her burdens. His ironic, disbelieving expression as he comes to terms with his feelings for her kills me every time. This is by far the best-acted, anchor performance in the drama, elevated by the OTP's undeniable screen chemistry. While Qiao Xin stages a convincing, empathetic complimentary act, she falls short in her crying scenes.
The supporting characters are also mostly well-written and I particularly appreciate the balanced point of view with respect to the sibling rivalry between Qiu Min and Qiu Yan. Both Qiu Min and Qin Xuan are less thoughtfully written but despite their character flaws, they both get a pretty raw deal. The writers seem to know how to design layered and interesting characters but don't know how to finish their stories. Too many characters get outcomes (good and bad) that are underserved. There are so many gratuitous deaths I wonder whether they were running out of money.
Though far from a masterpiece of suspense and intrigue, the overarching conspiracy that loosely connects the cases moves at a fast pace and is quite well conceived and not just contrived to allow the couple to discover each other. It is a story that has enough momentum and characters with agency that the ending should write itself. Instead, with about 6 episodes to go, the writing inexplicably deviates into flashbacks, forced angst, melodrama, and excessive plot twists that culminate in a just barely satisfactory ending. If not for the sag towards the end, I would rate this production that shines in spite of its modest budget better than a very enjoyable 8/10.
This is not a fairytale but that is what makes it so much fun. It is well worth watching for the fascinating and hilarious relationship dynamics alone.
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This review may contain spoilers
you will fall for Shin Hye Sun,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, very less spoilers
STORY IS PERFECTACTING IS PERFECT
OMG CASTING IS AMAZING
EVERY CHARACTER AND THEIR STORY IS RELEVENT TO THE THE MAIN STORY AND ITS IMPROVE THE MAIN LEADS CHARACTERS
I HAVE WATCH ALMOST 9 TIMES
COMEDY IS ALSO SO FRESH
YOU WILL NOT FEEL BL SERIES VIBES BECAUSE ITS CLEARLY EXPLAIN THAT QUEEN LOVES KING NOT MALE SOUL WHO INSIDE THE QUEEN MALE SOUL ENHANCE THE QUEEN CHARACTER YOU WILL WATCH IN QUEEN THE BAMBOO FOREST THAT KING FALL FOR QUEEN IN FIRST SIGHT BUT KNOWING THAT HE BELONGS TO HIS ENEMY'S FAMILY HE STARTS HATING HER BUT MALE SOUL WHICH INSIDE THE QUEEN HELPS TO PROVE THAT QUEEN IS NOT LIKE THAT AS KING THOUGHT AND THERE IS ALSO A OLD CONNECTION B/W KING AND QUEEN THATS A INTRESTING PART
OMG ACTINGS ARE AMAZING SHIN HYE SUN IS DAM GOOD SHE MAKES YOU BELIEVE THAT SHE IS NOT MISS QUEEN INSTEAD OF MR QUEEN
COMEDY B/W QUEEN AND COOK WAS ALSO AMAZING
AND THERE IS HAPPY ENDING
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