Reviews

Spot-on Comedy

Since this show was short (10 episodes) and generally light, I zipped through it, enjoyed it far more than I expected going in. Part of the show's charm was watching Kim Young Kwang have so much fun with this role. His comedy seemed organic, not nod-nod-wink-wink. He was good at physical comedy as well as delivering comedic lines: not all actors can pull off comedy so convincingly. The other actor whose scenes made me chuckle is Kim Hye Eun, who played Baek Ho Rang's entitled, unhinged aunt. She was so over-the-top! That made her greediness amusing rather than revolting.

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Talent wasted...

I will never befriend thai "brute force" comedy. What's even worse MaxNat get the worst scripts of them all (except 3rd party productions with DMD actors like ChermChey). Btw it was the same director for this and ChermChey. :) I don't know who shat this out of his behind and why they thought it would be a good idea to make it into a series.

All the talent they even "bought in" like Peterpan & Fluke are also wasted. It's cringe³, even the fake beard changed between scenes (Max had more beard during the nc-scene and lost some of it after which was extra weird), regardless the beard looked aweful. The whole series is so childish to infantile in a bad way. The music genres changed in scenes. Just because the music is dramatic did not produce a dramatic scene and don't forget the excessive use of soundeffects.

Production quality was good, except they could not keep out tourists in the background in the beginning. It's also no wonder that the actors had to advertise their series on the street because the viewrate was abysmal. Of course that generated some hype and they got more viewers, but I'm sorry for the viewers that they didn't get a good product. I believe the actors that they worked hard, but I'm sorry for them, that they get one crap script after the next. Cutie Pie were their best roles so far and since then it went downhill fast. I will never understand why people find such a series funny, because for me it's not. It's just a grand waste of time.

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The Characters Kept Me Watching

I can't help comparing it to Season 1, and honestly, Season 2 felt like a downgrade.

At first, I was disappointed about the female lead being changed, but the new FL won me over almost instantly, so that didn't bother me for long.

My biggest issue was how the cases were handled. Season 1 had a good balance of comedy and crime-solving, and even with its fun tone, the cases were handled professionally.
Season 2 tried to tackle more serious cases, but the way they were handled often felt nonsensical.

The first half was especially frustrating. A lot of things just didn't make sense, but I'd grown attached to the characters in Season 1, so I kept watching. Thankfully, the latter half got better or maybe I just got used to the writing.lol.
The Seongwon artist case did feel dragged out, though.

I was also looking forward to seeing more romance between the second leads, the detective and the forensic doctor, but they barely got enough screen time either. I really wish the show had explored their relationship more in season 2.

Overall, S2 is noticeably lower in quality than Season 1, especially when it comes to the writing and case handling. Still, because I'd already grown attached to the characters, I found myself enjoying it despite all my complaints.

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Great concept, too silly sometimes

My first review. As an African not familiar with these actors, here was my experience.

1. Romentic Comedy
Girl meets Boy, one needs the other temporarily. The main drama events arose due to the Boy and Girl engaging with their own social circles. The type of comedy was goofy and teenage-like, but every once in a while, there was a strange sprinkle of "deep words" spoken by the main characters to each other. It was so weird because the story was supposed to be lighthearted.

2. Acting
FL: Chae Soo-bin
ML: Kim Young-kwang
SA: Cha Woo-min

The ML looks very old as if he is in his 50s. He struggled to play "cute", it was cringy when he was tugging the girl's hand in a teasing way. He looked like he was 'tired after work' trying his best to entertain his teenage daughter rather than teasing a lover. He clearly found the FL to be "young" as he treated her like a child. I was surprised by the kissing scenes; they showed a close up of their facial expressions. I thought he would look awkward but he managed to portray the appropriate look of "passion". He was good at showing worry and care but failed at "horsing around".

The FL looked like she was in her early 30s. My word she was absolutely gorgeous in every state of emotion. She even carried the ML's shortcomings with absolute grace. She was fun to watch especially when she was being silly, like when her script was approved. I loved the dance she did outside the TV Station. I found it interesting that she could deliver her care for the ML without the camera helping us understand her thoughts. Unlike the moments the ML showed he was falling for her; the movements of the female lead had to literally be slowed down and artificial light shone behind her hair and the music played to show the ML was apparently falling in love. This was not needed for the FL. Her gestures and manner of speak were enough to update the audience she was falling in love. But then again, the director also chose to use her social circle to tell us the FL was falling in love by making them say it, "You like ML!", "No, I don't".

The Supporting Male actor was adorable. I hate that he was made to confess to the FL several times, in the flash backs to the past and the current and after the climax. Very unnecessary. He wore his heart on his sleeve, poor thing. I don't find him hot, but he was so adorable, those cheeks look like a baby, you just want to squeeze them, as the FL described. I enjoyed watching the FL and SA together and apart. Better acting than the ML.

The Supporting Female actress (fake marriage) was so gorgeous. The wardrobe stylist failed her, clothes kept floating over her body as if they were made for someone bigger and she was called to wear them at short notice. She looked stunning despite the poor fit.

3. Storyline
I loved the concept of the story. It is unique to have this type of issue or "power" as they translated it. I was a bit confused about the flashback to when the FL was struck by lightning, as in, were they trying to insuniate that the other child struck was the ML? Which makes no sense because the ML was supposed to have been on a transplant list for years at around the same age.

I found it funny that the series had flaws that exactly matched how bad the writing of the FL was as a drama writer. I kept thinking, "yip, she wrote all the lovey dovey scenes of Recharge Me before she fell in love". The script she wrote in the drama was more interesting than her reality. As in, the moment she was pulled off the path of the bicycle in Recharge Me was so awkward and more believable in her script land with guns. Jeez, the moments of affection were terrible. Awful. Never random, always predictable but poorly delivered, eg the cabin in the plane, the airport outburst leading to ML getting a cut on his face, the ML kicking his secretary out of the hotel room, FL resuscitating the ML on stage, all of them were so badly executed you don't feel any exhilaration or adoration, basically your heart will not melt when they happen.

Why did they make the ML act so strange. He was constantly required to yank the arm of the FL to stop her from walking away from him. I was getting angry at it. Is it the Korean way of showing love maybe? Why did FL keep hiding him by making him squat behind the Porsche, or hide below an office desk, or pushing him into bushes, or or or.

The story is rushed at the end. I was glad as I was struggling to watch farther. It was OK because they did that a lot; they made some parts choppy so that the actors had to verbally tell you what happened inbetween.

4. Music
I don't remember the music. It is a good thing. I am hypersensitive to loud background music. The volume levels were perfect. Music was loud for the script scenes which was fine as I could skip them without losing the plot.

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Outstanding Original and Engaging and Addictive

Shadow Punisher is an exceptional Chinese drama that deserves international recognition. From its intriguing mysteries and clever storytelling to its breathtaking cinematography, beautiful costumes and outstanding performances, this production is truly impressive.

Luo Yunxi delivers another remarkable performance as Li Si, demonstrating his extraordinary versatility as an actor. His ability to convey intelligence, vulnerability, determination and humour through even the smallest expressions is captivating. He brings incredible depth and charisma to his character, making Li Si both fascinating and endearing.

What makes this drama particularly enjoyable is its combination of suspense, supernatural elements, intricate investigations, emotional storytelling and unexpected comedy. Each mystery draws the viewer further into a fascinating world where appearances can be deceiving and every detail matters.

The supporting cast deserves enormous praise. The chemistry between the characters, their friendships, witty exchanges and teamwork bring warmth and personality to an otherwise dark and mysterious storyline.

The production quality is equally impressive. From the elaborate historical settings and magnificent costumes to the atmospheric lighting, special effects and beautifully choreographed action sequences, the attention to detail is outstanding.

What I particularly appreciate is that Shadow Punisher does not rely on romance to maintain the audience’s interest. Instead, it allows its characters, mysteries and compelling storytelling to take centre stage.

As an Australian viewer and an admirer of Chinese dramas, I sincerely hope this wonderful production receives the international attention and appreciation it deserves.

Luo Yunxi continues to demonstrate why he is such an exceptionally talented and compelling actor. His dedication to his craft shines through in every performance.

Congratulations to Luo Yunxi, the entire cast, director, writers and production team for creating such an entertaining, imaginative and beautifully produced drama.

A thoroughly captivating series that I highly recommend to international audiences!

❤️ Much love and appreciation from Australia! 🇦🇺

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A Simple Campus Romance With Surprisingly Complex Characters

I picked up City of Romance when I was looking for something light to watch. It was buried pretty deep in my PTW list, and since nothing else was clicking, I decided to give it a try without even reading the synopsis, as I usually do. I went in expecting a standard, fluffy college romance, so I was pleasantly surprised by the psychological themes and deeper conversations about lying, self-worth, and how our past shapes the way we interact with others.

The biggest surprise for me was Bai Xiao Duo. Within the first two episodes, I realized that she was a habitual liar, and honestly, as someone who absolutely hates lying, I never really warmed up to this aspect of her character. I understand that her past experiences and low self-esteem contributed to her behavior, but understanding the reason behind something doesn't necessarily mean I have to accept or like it. That's just my personal opinion. Still, I have to give her credit for being an incredibly confident and convincing liar. She's a rather unusual female lead, and her character made me curious enough to keep watching.

What I appreciated was that the drama didn't treat lying as a simple matter of right and wrong. One line that stayed with me was Xiao Duo's answer about "why people lie? to cover up another lie". It made me think about how easily one lie can lead to another until a person becomes trapped in their own web of deception. Another thought-provoking question was, "Are all lies bad? No, some lies are well-intended."I don't necessarily agree with every justification the drama offers, but I enjoyed that it gave me something to think about rather than presenting everything in black and white.

The main couple's dynamic was another highlight. Su Yan Cheng is the familiar cold, intelligent male lead, but his hatred of lies has a deeper emotional foundation. His upbringing has made it difficult for him to express his feelings, even though he can be surprisingly perceptive and empathetic towards others. Watching him and Xiao Duo slowly understand each other was satisfying because their relationship wasn't just about falling in love. They challenged each other's perspectives and helped one another confront the emotional wounds they had been carrying. He gradually learns to be more open with his emotions, while she begins to understand that she doesn't have to hide behind a carefully constructed image to be worthy of love.

I do wish the drama had explored Xiao Duo's past and psychological struggles in greater depth. Her experiences with bullying, anxiety, and panic attacks added an unexpected layer to what initially looked like an ordinary campus romance. There were also hints of deeper issues surrounding her relationship with her appearance that I thought could have been explored further. The story had the potential to dig much deeper into how those experiences shaped her behavior, but it sometimes felt as though it touched on serious subjects without fully developing them.

The supporting cast was a lovely addition, too. Xiao Yang was particularly entertaining and brought some much-needed humor, while the friendships helped make the college setting feel warmer. Although the overall plot is fairly straightforward and relies on familiar campus-romance tropes, the characters' emotional struggles give it more substance than I expected.

Overall, City of Romance turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It isn't a particularly complex or groundbreaking drama, and some parts could have been better developed, but it balances a sweet romance with meaningful themes about honesty, emotional wounds, and personal growth. I still didn't particularly like Xiao Duo's habit of lying, but I appreciated that her character gave me something to question and reflect on. If you're looking for a short, easy-to-watch campus romance with a little more psychological depth than expected, this is worth a try.

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girl. don't piss me off.

I was really excited for this drama in the beginning. The tension and dialogue between the main couple was great. The dark romance and forbidden relationship dynamic was addicting. The visuals were also really nice. But I was kinda disappointed (and confused as hell) at the end. It was definitely a binge-worthy watch, though generally anti-climactic. And the final plot twist was satisfying, however it made me even more confused.

Overall, I've got a bone to pick with both MLs. CAN YOU PLEASE LEARN TO COMMUNICATE LUQING? CAN YOU PLEASE GROW A SPINE XIAOFAN?

The Lu mother and Bei father pretty much felt like the only semi-redeemable and slightly-tolerable characters (emphasis on semi- and slightly-). But I will say, the Lu and Bei families should SUFFERRRRR. Ugh. How frustrating.

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Cry Frustrate Like

Have you ever felt like you never fully express yourself, yet somehow, at the same time, you put so much of yourself out there? Like there are things you want to say, emotions you want to express, and people you want to confront, but you just can't bring yourself to do it? Well, this is exactly the kind of drama that brings all those feelings to the surface.

It’s emotional, deeply moving, and the kind of story that makes you feel every emotion right down to your bones. There are times in life when you want to hurt the person you love simply because they’ve hurt you, but when it comes down to it, you just can't bring yourself to do it. So you hold back, swallow your words, and somehow continue loving them despite everything. The entire story revolves around these complicated, unspoken feelings of the leads, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

What I love most is how easily you can relate to the emotions in this drama, not just through romantic relationships but also through friendships and family. It captures those complicated bonds where you might not always feel excited about someone or even particularly like them at times, yet you still hold them above everyone else. They become such an important part of your life that, even when you're upset with them, you can't stop caring about them or supporting them when it matters.

This is the kind of drama you watch to *feel, relate, and cry your heart out*. It captures what it means to be in a long-term relationship, where love isn't always about butterflies and happiness. Sometimes, it's about knowing someone so deeply that even their flaws, mistakes, and the things that hurt you don't erase the place they hold in your heart.

I genuinely loved the plot, the direction, and the actors. Everything comes together to make the emotions feel so raw and real. This isn't a drama you watch just to see what happens next; it's one you watch to understand what the characters are feeling and, somewhere along the way, understand yourself a little better, too.

If you're looking for something deep and emotionally layered, this drama is definitely for you. It might even help you make sense of feelings you've carried for a long time but never quite understood or knew how to put into words. ❤️

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