Reviews

Editing improved compared to the first episode but still needs some refinement.

I'm happy that the story flow in this episode has improved compared to the first one. The scenes are well put together. However, there are still a few editing issues like in one scene where Carmela is using her phone. It seemed like they forgot to show what she was looking at, even though the sound effect was there. Also, some of her monologues had noticeably lower volume compared to the others. I really hope the editing continues to improve in the next episodes so that these flaws become less noticeable.I appreciate that they showed us the backstory between Shae, James, and Carmela, although I feel like it would’ve been better if placed in Episode 1. Overall, this episode was good. I really loved how they showed Carmela being transported back to the past. Also, the ending scene was chef’s kiss! I felt like I was transported back in time with her. I can’t wait for Episode 3!P.S. The end of the bar scene was exactly how I imagined it. OMG!

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expected higher, received disappointment

I swear, they can make this drama even better, but as of now, it looks like a college film project in a nutshell. 1. The pen at the start doesn't look like the dip pen at all, in fact it looks more like a ball point pen. And if that was indeed a dip pen, how is she able to write if she didn't carry any ink with her? 2. The photo editing was soooo bad, that even my high school self can do better than that. I swear, is this production even trying? For a popular book, this is production is doing so bad, the book deserves way better treatment than this. Also, they would've had the chance to remove some scenes from the book that are way too much. For example, the scene where the extra was pretty mad at Carmella for staring at her after bumping and got mad, like bro it wasn't a big deal, no one even acts like that in college. Carmella's attitude at the beginning was already too much and adding that extra layer makes the drama way cornier.

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When Hype Meets Bland Reality

⭐ The Good: The production values are definitely there: gorgeous poster, impressive CGI, smooth action scenes, solid cinematography, and lavish decors. The background music also fits well, giving it a polished, big-budget feel.The dialogue between the ML and the AI has a spark — almost like a clash between a nostalgic fan and a progressive critic. That little meta-touch was fun and memorable.The mix of modern slang dropped into a wuxia setting added a comedic edge, even if it wasn’t always laugh-out-loud funny.😐 The Mid: The premise had potential: a transmigration setup with room for mystery. But instead of letting us discover the world with the character, an AI spoon-feeds all the rules up front. It’s efficient, but it kills the intrigue.The attempt at humor is… serviceable. It tries, and sometimes it lands, sometimes not.There’s a Dream Within a Dream vibe from the trailer, but without the same exploratory pull that made that drama compelling.👎 The Not So Good: The casting of the male lead feels mismatched with the role. A story like this benefits from a central figure who can carry both the comedic beats and the heroic gravitas — but here, the performance and screen presence don’t quite rise to the level the production seems to aim for.Some storytelling choices undercut the drama’s own potential. Explaining the world’s mechanics through an AI early on removes the sense of discovery and mystery that could have drawn viewers deeper. Similarly, attempts at humor sometimes lean too heavily on surface-level gags rather than character-driven wit, which makes the tone feel uneven.Overall, it’s a polished production that looks good on the surface, but the execution makes it harder to emotionally invest in the journey. #CognitiveExplorer

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Debates — radical dogma or academics

Yi and head seamstress are pleased with her new design. Yang of all people reporting on it. He pulls up her discarded designs and talks with another designer and completely fabricated a story that makes it look like Yi is trying a battle of the classes. She simply said what her design was based on the Dunhuang murals and if he had ever been there. He had no clue what she was talking about. So he wrote whatever the hell he wanted to make it look like he was the great finder of Yi’s reactionary thoughts. The seamstress wants to get Wen involved and Yi doesn’t. But it has blown up to be a rather big deal and everybody is worried. Qing is being a good sis. She flat out asks Yang what he thought he was doing publishing such an article and making it out to be serious when it wasn’t. He starts off in his list like he always does and this time she’s had enough. When Wen’s name came up he accused Wen of being biased and getting rid of him stalling any chance he had of career progression. Then he accuses her of only liking him because of the power he had. Her look. She finally saw him for what he always had been and it was absolutely nothing to admire. Her brother would be very proud of her right now. She basically told him that and she didn’t realize he was that insecure. She slaps his article at his chest and leaves him. Later the editor of the paper and Yang are all apologies and claim they will write an official apology in the paper. For starters, Wen isn’t the one they should be apologizing too. They were gonna try to sneak an apology to Yi the way they did that biased article. Here Wen should have let that be the answer. He wants it to go to public debate. He thinks the masses will find the truth. Here he is very idealistic. Yang is smirking at the door because with this allowed, he thinks he has it in the bag. So far the only good news is Qing recognizing Yang for the dogmatic ass he is and getting away from him. Yi is off painting and clearing her head. She is enjoying some solitude getting ready for the storm she knows is coming. I have no clue why Zhao thinks he will get 10k from Wen. You know he’s paying his mistress off and then he wants to hit up north east officials to make deals about goods to his worksite. Hew knows how rigid Wen is with propriety . For this, he should be having chats with Fu. He knows all about gal trouble😝Yi writes Wen a very sweet letter. Zhao and wen are chatting and maybe a time jump. They are talking of debate in past tense and had gone Yi’s way. I’m with Zhao in thinking they were damn lucky it wasn’t Yang’s. Wen is happy because he will see Yi tomorrow. She is strolling through marketplace trying on scarves when she sees Wen . She runs to meet him and jumps in his arms. They tease each other about weight and he pays for the scarf she ran off with. It then skips to a scene in eatery with Yang having fancy dishes and drinks. He thinks bygones will be bygones and he and Qing can start fresh. She asks him candidly if he is sober and tells him they are breaking up. He lists off all the things he did for her and how he liked green onions. She called for the waiter to add green onions to the dish and recook it. She then left. Here is the obsessed creepy guy again He says she will regret it. He is over the top radical in everything he does. Maybe a condition due to his war experiences and the indoctrination from Fang. But he really and truly belongs in a psych ward with monitoring. Wen and Ye are having tea and enjoying each other’s company. He tells her how serious talk has been about her designs and she has to face it. She very reluctantly reads article. Omg Wen is adorable with a smug grin on his face.🥰😂 The dance of sugar plum fairies is playing in background as Yi smiles more and more. The article talked of the innovative designs using Dunhuang murals. He pointed out how well it was written and how it had changed biased views to academic discussion. The old fox.😂 He is so pleased with himself. Usually I would roll my eyes at stunts like this, but in his case, he is so damn cute and he fought for her in his special way. So it was more than luck that swayed the masses. Usually I think Wen is lucky Yi loves him. This time, she’s the lucky one.🥰Zhao drives them back and with that sad look on his face, which girl is he singing about? Yi and head seamstress rejoice over design’s success. It is in the first line for final choice. Yi surprised her with gifts for the kids and thanked her for her support in the debates. She likes Yang as much as we do.😝😤 Qing meets with Yi and tells her she broke up with Yang. They have a sis bonding moment. Qing is a bit sad tho she says she’s not. But, in this case, I think she is sad that Yang was never the person she thought he was. She has grown up enough to recognize him for what he really is now. I just wish she was more aware of his obsessive behavior where she is concerned. Zhao’s wife was well aware of his mistress. He has wasted q0k of public funds on her. Wen has been on the phone all night trying to get funds to cover for him. He has asked for Fang’s help which is a big mistake. He was worrying over figures when she made her rude comment about Yi. He didn’t even hear her. But she thinks he did. I really dislike her weaselly ways.😝I wish he would have started with her. She has ties that can get cash. If she is his partner, he needs to treat her that way. I am very unhappy I won’t get to find out more til tomorrow.

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Marpessa — choosing a simple and ordinary life

I am very annoyed with Zhao. He’s having an affair and that is why the guy in white suit calls him brother in law. He’s the brother of the mistress. Zhao’s wife knows something is up and tries to talk with Wen, but he can’t imagine his friend acting like Fu.😝His ‘check in’ with Wen was to be with his wife as the four of them shared a meal. It goes to a cute scene where Yi has thrown away the collapsed chair and bought him a nice one for his study. It is not decorative and is simply a good quality plain chair. She tells him she understands his principles but he doesn’t have to be an ascetic monk. She agrees not to throw out anything again without discussing it. She later sees him mending his daughter’s dress and she sees more evidence of his frugality. She is going to convince him that a firm mattress is better than a board to sleep on.😝😂 They are cute at the bus stop not wanting to say goodbye before work. 🥰 An old friend has come to visit and his son and Wen’s are similar age. He is hoping Wen will keep his son in Shanghai and find a position for him. His friend plans on returning home as he has a job lined up. Wen will not guarantee a job and the old guy gets upset. This crying is very exaggerated and does not go with the calm softer way his chat has been. His son gets irate because this family pretty much raised him and he thinks his father is wrong to not help. Yi offers a temp job at her shop but Wen doesn’t think she has the authority to do that. Here Wen should have let Yi decide her own terms where her workplace is involved. This is where he is too meticulous in appearing above board. Kindness can be rewarded without it being improper. The boys run off and Wen let’s the father know he will keep the boys in Shanghai a few days and not to worry. He sees his friend off and then heads out with Yi and food to find the boys. Wen’s son is still seething. He thinks he is owed an apology and reflection paper. Yi hands them food and Wen tells his son about his mother. She and Wen were fighting guerillas and their son was starving. To keep him safe they left him with their friends but she was devastated they had to make that choice. He wanted his son to understand why he was so angry when he spoke badly of her. Yi steps up and said they were here so his father could apologize and write a reflection paper. 😂 Zhao was there at the house having an arm wrestling contest between the boys. When his son didn’t want to try, Yi assured him he could win. Yi and Zhou made sure that he did.😂 Her uniform design task is down to the last 2 months and she needs inspiration. She is looking through Wen’s books and he helps her find the right one. Here they have a chat about Greek mythology. He likes Prometheus and she likes Marpessa. When he asked why she said she just wanted to live a simple ordinary life. When he gives her the camera, she should have told him it wouldn’t be proper and see what he had to say😝😂 She accepted it kindly because it was meant for her to take pictures for inspiration with her designing. This is the first episode that hasn’t flowed nicely. They were trying to cram too much past and present to finish things up with this arc.

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Fun, Light, and Cute With a Happy Wedding Finale

Wow, I can’t believe it has already been over three months since I started episode 1. This was such a fun, cute, and light BL to watch. They got their happy ending and even a wedding, and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to wrap things up.My only small critique is the kissing, their lips barely touched. If you accept a BL role, I feel you should put more effort into making it believable. Or maybe it comes down to the director’s choices.For those who always say Japanese BL is known for its “dead fish kiss,” I recommend watching the currently airing Japanese BL Love Sea. The kissing and NC scenes are intense and passionate, which shows that Japan absolutely can deliver when they choose to. It is not the country, it’s the series itself.Overall, 8.5/10 for me.

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Entering Beiqi

Fan Xian gave Si Lili the antidote for the poison. They met Shen Zhong, and I'm amazed by him, he's a good actor, I almost wanted to strangle him, he is such a complicated man (vicious, cruel & arrogant). He guessed exactly all FX's motives as to why he came to Beiqi, he deserves his reputation, that is why Chen Pingping warned FX about Shen Zhong. Torturing Xiao En just to instigate Shangshan Hu to attack him, Shangshan Hu is greatly feared in Beiqi, so maybe the Emperor or Empress wants him dead, power schemes and all. When they entered the city, citizens were throwing rotten eggs and vegetables at the mission, and literally I felt like punching Shen Zhong's face for a moment when he said I can't do anything about it.

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