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Hoping for a Happy Ending for Them ❤️
I’m really loving this drama so far! I especially enjoy the fantasy aspect of the story, which makes it feel different and really interesting to watch. The story keeps me curious, and I love discovering more about the characters and their world with each episode.The chemistry between Boss and TongTong is also one of my favorite parts of the drama. They have such a natural dynamic together, and I really enjoy watching their characters’ relationship develop. Their scenes together are always a highlight for me.
I really hope the ending will be as good as the rest of the drama. More than anything, I hope that the story of their characters will have a beautiful ending and that they will be able to live happily together in the end. After everything they have been through, I really want them to get the happiness they deserve. ❤️
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A gorgeous slice of Chinese village life.
This drama showcases Yunnan Province so beautifully that, at times, it feels almost like a travel and tourism promotion for the region. Nevertheless, it is a lovely slice-of-life drama, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.The story follows the female lead, who leaves Beijing and moves to a village in Yunnan to decompress and come to terms with a tragic loss. Her healing journey becomes the heart of the drama. Along the way, she meets the people of the village, who gradually become her family, and through them we are introduced to the wonderful sense of community that defines the place.
Each of the villagers has a story of their own, with personal struggles, aspirations and journeys that the drama takes the time to explore. Their stories are woven naturally into the main narrative, making the drama engaging, comforting and genuinely heartwarming.
During her time in the village, the female lead falls in love with the village heartthrob and unofficial headman, who himself had left the city to pursue a quieter life in the countryside and dedicate himself to revitalising his hometown. Their relationship is a particularly enjoyable part of the story. It is a slow-burn, mature romance that develops naturally rather than being driven by unnecessary drama.
At its best, their relationship is about two people who understand and support one another, becoming each other's "rain" and "wind" through the difficult and beautiful seasons of their lives.
What I took off points for, is the drawn-out nature of the village politics which was feeling repetitive; and I felt that despite all the build up and expositions of certain story lines they ultimately amounted to very little.
Ultimately, the drama is as much about healing, community and finding a sense of belonging as it is about romance. And perhaps that is what makes it so enjoyable: it leaves you with the feeling that sometimes, what we need to rebuild ourselves is not necessarily a grand new life, but simply the right place and the right people.
The music is catchy especially the song called Days.
I give this a 7/10
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Gobsmacked
I'm just an ordinary viewer with no axe to grind or any special connection with the film industry. I adored this drama. I'll just mention the beautiful cinematography and sets, the clever dialogue and mournful musical score. Those have all been remarked on by others.In terms of sheer fun and pure entertainment, this drama can’t be beat. It’s funny and poignant--filled with amazing encounters between the various characters and surprises when viewers least expect them.
On a deeper level, this series is about love–and the longing for love. Each of the main characters embodies a certain aspect of love. For example, the most interesting and hypnotic character is Xiang Liu, a nine-headed demon. The FL usually encounters him at night or at the edge of the ocean or another body of water or when she’s unconscious. When she’s in a coma for 37 years, he’s the one who watches over her and nurses her back to health. Although she can’t speak to him during this period, she has a spiritual bond with him, and he senses her presence.
Another character, Cang Xuan, is torn between his need for power and status and his deep, abiding passion for the FL.
I’m not blind to a few glitches in the plot and other deficiencies. A certain character dies–but is she permanently dead or is there a do over coming? And when someone’s been in a coma for 37 years, could he or she really get right up and walk around as if nothing had happened? (Seriously, they’re not even a little stiff?). Some of the middle episodes in season 2 drag on interminably. Others are exhausting to watch. A certain crying fit goes on for fifteen minutes.
All three of the male suitors first meet the main character when s/he’s an energetic, kind, mischievous dude with a huge appetite and lousy table manners. Is he really a male? A female? It’s not clear and it doesn’t seem to matter–not to the other characters and not to the viewers--because Zi Yang is one of the few actors who can play an androgynous role like this and make it both appealing and convincing.
You never know what’s going to happen in this series. A menacing character swoops down on the back of a flying eagle. He and his victim end up floating under the ocean admiring the jellyfish, the sea anemones, and the mer-people. A certain suitor, trying to impress the object of his affection, juggles fireballs which suddenly explode in a cascade of sparks. During an archery lesson a few drops of blood turn into a red bird.
And then there are the details and subtexts that really sell the story. Whether it’s Chubby, the animated bird, stamping his foot in impatience–letting the main character know it’s time to GET GOING, or Xiang Liu trying to look scary but whose face melts for a second into a micro-expression of adoration when he gazes at the FL, or all the suitors overwhelmed with emotion when they first see Qing Shui transformed into a princess – the skillful acting and other elements combine to give viewers a multi-layered experience that’s truly impressive.
But don’t take my word for it. Read the number of awards this drama has won...
Consider my gob officially smacked.
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This series is a gem!! Great story, pace and acting!!!
Started this because I ran out of episodes for Spring of the Blade. The first 2 episodes were bleak but once you get pass it there’s no turning back!First time watching this ML and FL and they are very good in their roles. Supporting actors and actresses also excel with good production value.
Some characters are so menacing that it is scary to watch. I must say I’m looking forward to see how this develops. 47 episodes in all which I pretty rare these days.
Despite that the pace does not feel slow and it is extremely addictive. Be forewarned once you start you won’t be able to stop.
Edit: Just watched the library scene and it was pure cat and mouse!! Absolutely thrilling!!
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I have only 1 thing to add...
Tan Song Yun is finally showcasing her amazing acting talent. If you are her fan, watch this drama. It's been a long while since she chose a meaty role that can flex her acting muscles.Everything else about this drama, my fellow reviewers above and below (who rated it at least an 8) have already said. Three cheers for Seven!
And kudos to the casting director who chose the right actors to play each character so well.
Heads up: The story takes a nose dive from Ep 37 due to poor scripting...sudden change in the main themes, pace and tone. Poor transition from part 1 of the series. A very anticlimactic ending. Still the first three quarters of this drama deserves an 8/10.
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Good at the start, lost at the end
Tbh it's good at the start, it's a light watch and quite enjoyable. A light hearted, at least not too dramatic one.It follows like a normal transitions of slice of life.
I don't know what happened, starting chapter 9, the story plot holes became too obvious, the acting got cringe. And the transitions of story just lapses so much.
It's pretty much good on starts, and you can still finish the end. But really the last few episodes are just the reason I'm giving it such an averagr ranking.
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show with so much potential but the story didnt work
I really wanted to enjoy this show, but honestly, the story sucked.The production value looked amazing. The outfits were outstanding, the rich vibe was *wow*, and I really have to appreciate the music. I’m definitely a fan of the OST and all the other songs. The acting was good too, and I really enjoyed the Sonya and Lookahmee dynamic. They have great chemistry.
The pilot episode was FIRE! I felt so hyped after watching it. It felt sexy, had a great wow factor, and immediately grabbed my attention.
The plot was also interesting at the start—the whole “who will win?” scenario had so much potential. Butttt...
Why do they always get such cheesy writing? Same with *Affair*. The show had so many elements it could have explored, but it wasted almost all of them. WHY?!
The show eventually felt so dry, and I just couldn’t connect with the characters. Their relationship developed way too quickly. You could have shown so much more of their past, their individual struggles, or the things happening in between, but instead, everything was rushed. And I’m just sitting here wondering... WHY??
The repetitive bed-cuddling scenes and bath scenes—almost every GL has them—also started to feel cramped and unnecessary. They were clearly trying to show intimacy, but instead of making those moments feel meaningful, they often felt like filler.
Overall, the show felt like a mess. The director seemed to be trying to focus on too many things at once, and in the process, the story lost its spark.
Such a shame because the show had SO much potential. The production, music, chemistry, and overall aesthetic were there... the writing just didn’t live up to them.
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This review may contain spoilers
“A single light is dim. But if we each light a lamp, even fireflies can brighten a street.”
This drama is like poetry in motion. Its beauty truly lies in its simple yet profound storytelling that transcends social classes and ages.Xu Lan Xiang is such a magnificently crafted character. At a young age, she experienced the deepest sorrows of witnessing her entire family’s massacre and falling to the lowest social status. Despite the harsh vicissitudes of life, her will to live remains stronger than anyone and she refuses to let vengeful thoughts consume her. Lan Xiang is courageous, resilient, smart and resourceful in striving for what she wants, but she's also clear about the moral boundaries that cannot be crossed. It’s extremely fulfilling to see her character development from a well-educated noble girl, to a maidservant and finally the Lin household's madam. As a third-class maid, her sole aim is to survive and provide for her adopted parents. As she gradually rises in social status, Lan Xiang not only wants herself to live well but also to help those around her have a good life. She can act well and hide her talents to survive, but also become very versatile and adapt to any situation to get what she wants. Rather than spiralling into despair as people leave her one by one, she becomes more enlightened about life and death, and focuses on the contentment of what she has achieved for herself and those she loves. Lan Xiang’s name (“orchid fragrance”) is very fitting of her character, which symbolises enduring purity and elegance.
Lin Jin Qi is intelligent and ruthlessly decisive, yet still possesses a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty towards those he cares about. However, he’s not without imperfection. At times, he’s too naïve in expressing his affection and placing blind trust in those with bad intentions. It’s frustrating to see Jin Qi’s mother and grandfather scheming to get what they think is the best marriage prospects, only for those to become catastrophic failures. In particular, his mother is gentle and caring, but her pride and obsession with reputation refuse to let her accept that the “daughter-in-law [she] carefully selected turned out to be a servant”. But in a twist of fate, the only person they reject (Lan Xiang) actually ends up as the Lin family’s savior and best match for Jin Qi. Poor our male lead, who has to fight so hard to marry the love of his life.
I absolutely adore the slow-burn, grounded chemistry between the leads. Their mutual trust is built gradually, but once set, it becomes unshakeable. During Lan Xiang's days as a maid, Jin Qi recognises that she's as capable as his closest aides. After they marry, Jin Qi becomes increasingly besotted by Lan Xiang's immaculate ability to manage the Lin household, and how well-versed she's in both the arts and politics. Jin Qi also owes a lot of his growth to Lan Xiang. She's shown him how to prioritise and protect his family and love ones, rather than blindly follow the Heaven Ways and rely on complete loyalty to the fickle throne. Lan Xiang and Jin Qi share a tacit understanding in whatever they do, both in the good and bad times. The emotions and romance are subtle, but as Seven Tan says in amusement, “As long as they’re in the same frame, it counts as a sweet moment”.
All the female characters are portrayed with such depth in this drama. Jin Qi's mother Shun Hua, sister Xiu Lai and cousin Xin Rui are incredibly strong and independent in their own ways. At the heart of it, they're all women trying to survive and protect their children in a patriarchal society where “a married daughter is like water poured away”. It's heartwarming and awe-inspiring to see Lan Xiang use her wits to fight the system and show women how to band together to lift each other up, becoming each other's "light". This truly reminds me of The Story of Ming Lan and A Dream of Splendor, both of which showcase strong sisterhood dynamics and female empowerment in ancient China. Even the supposed antagonists have complexity and can't be judged at first glance. Initially, we have Zhao Xing Tang (Jin Qi’s ex-wife) and Lu Ji Er (Lan Xiang’s neighbour). One loses her lover and unborn child to fulfil her family’s political marriage, while the other is too ambitious and impatient to get a promotion. Neither is inherently evil, just trapped by their circumstances and temporarily went astray. Whereas, Cui Que (sister of Jin Qi’s lifesaver) and Zheng Man Yi (Jin Qi's marriage match) were too self-absorbed in their own brilliance and arrogance to notice that there’s another path to greatness besides one that tramples on other people. The former are redeemable, whereas the latter don't deserve redemption. As Lan Xiang so wisely reminds us, it’s normal for people to strive for a better life but not at the expense of others. Lan Xiang's relationship with her adopted parents is very touching too. Initially, they rescued her out of gratitude and in memory of their late daughter. But this beautifully blossoms into deep family bonds as they selflessly care for Lan Xiang, and she helps them out of destitution and gain purpose in life.
Admittedly, I hadn’t thought that this lead pairing could be possible, despite being a keen follower of both lead actors. My first impression of Seven Tan (Tan Song Yun) dates back to 2010s during her rom-com phase. Later on, Seven Tan became incredibly adept in the slice-of-life genre. Her heartfelt role in Go Ahead still brings me to tears. Seven Tan doesn’t do many historical dramas, but Under the Power and The Sword and the Brocade have been my soft spots. On the other hand, I’ve seen Liu Xue Yi in so many historical fantasy dramas that I start to think he actually lives in that period. He’s such a charismatic, captivating and powerful actor. His suave monk portrayal in The Blood of Youth is right up there in my hall of fame. Them together in a historical slice-of-life has been nothing short of a treat. Seven Tan and Liu Xue Yi bring the ordinary day-to-day of the lead characters to life with subtle expressions and in-sync acting. It feels natural and heartwarming yet enchanting.
The settings and cinematography are excellent and meticulously planned. I absolutely adore the exquisite and refined aesthetics of the Lin family’s courtyard. Each window view feels like a framed piece of art, with perfect balance and composition. They also carry deep meaning. For example, at the beginning, the red blossoms over the wall signify Jin Qi’s inner conflict over his first/ex-wife’s infidelity (“the red apricots grew over the wall” is a metaphor for cheating wife). But for Lan Xiang, reaching her hands out to the red blossoms amidst the winter snow is akin to embracing her biological mother, whose name Cui Xue Mei means “plum blossoms in the snow” (her adopted mother’s Xue Gui Hua also means “blossoms in the snow”).
The soundtracks are very complementary to the drama. My personal favourites are On the Same Path (同道) by Jess Lee, Fragrance of Orchids Remain (兰香如故) Ye Xuanqing and and The Deeply Entwined Us (深深的我们) by Liu Xijun. They really awaken the mellow and poetic soul within me that I didn’t know existed.
“No longer will I resent the moon for failing to shine its light upon me.
I only hope that the old acquaintance I once knew remains safe and well, growing with the passing years."
“Like the silent fragrance of an orchid.
Lingering through the days and nights at the end of time…
I've searched and wandered again and again.
Yet I can never mend that old dream, leaving only regret behind.
Thankfully, the rise and fall of life have kept me here for a lifetime.
In this life and the next, you will always be the one.
I only pray that fate lets us recognise each other sooner.”
“A deep and enduring bond, binding us together so tightly.
Washing away the dust of this mortal world, even if we must part in the end.
I’ll have no regrets that we met in this life, may we stay together until life’s end.
Every bit of sincerity you’ve shown me has already taken root deep in my heart...
After seeing all the questions life has brought, this love has never faded in the slightest.
A lingering fragrance remains, blessed in this life to have one person by my side.
Through these warm and gentle years, my heart remains as true to you as ever.”
FAVOURITE QUOTES:
“It’s good to be alive. I can still smell the flowers." Lan Xiang
“If you want to rise above your birth and live a better life, perhaps you should abandon your conscience and gamble with your life. In this world, who doesn’t want a better life? I’m greedy, too. But our forebears taught us, 'A gentleman acquires wealth by honorable means'. You can’t trample on others just because you want a better life.” Lan Xiang
“A single light can only illuminate a few feet. But if I light a lamp and you light one, even the light of fireflies gather together can also light up a long street… Let women walking in the dark night see their way clearly.” Lan Xiang
"Father, mother, stop blaming yourselves for not being more capable. As long as you’re both well, that is the greatest support I could ever have. No matter when, I know you’ll always be behind me. As long as I always have a home to return to, I’ll feel secure.” Lan Xiang
"We are husband and wife, sharing both fortune and misfortune… I’m no gentleman. I get scared. I act on impulse. But for as long as I live, I will never betray you [LX].” Jin Qi
"In the heavy snow, when I was on the verge of death, my wife refused to leave my side. In the bitter cold, she stayed with me through an entire day and night and even saved the whole Lin family. My wife has shown me kindness, loyalty, and love. If I betrayed her... what kind of man would I be?” Jin Qi
“When will there be a world where women can be like men, going to school to study, sitting the imperial exams, doing business and earning money, not bound by their husbands, not bound by their sons, just being who they are?” Xing Tang (Jin Qi’s ex-wife)
“Sons and daughters are born to the same parents. Yet sons are naturally entitled to inherit family property, while daughters can only gain a small share of it through marriage [as a dowry]... For a woman in this world, she obeys her father at home and her husband after marriage. No matter how capable she may be, she must depend on a man to have a place in this world. Not a single coin she earns truly belongs to her.” Xing Tang
---
“Perhaps it’s because throughout history, most of those who wrote and shaped these ideas were men. They could never understand a woman’s hardships or what women truly need.” Lan Xiang
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A Netflixized Kdrama
I am hardly a Kdrama expert but I can see that Netflix is trying to drag Kdramas into the mainstream of sex and nudity that must sell well around the world. I guess I missed any disclaimers prior to starting the series other than the "Sex, Nudity" note at the beginning, which is a laughable understatement. I know where to find softcore porn if that's what I am in the mood for and didn't expect it in this series. Not knowing the book it was based on or caring that it was based on a book but simply looking for some mild entertainment--getting harder for me to do with Kdramas--I spent much of the 3 episodes I watched waiting for some kind of clarity. After reading some reviews and learning what it was supposed to be about I am happy that I only invested 3 episodes worth of time at 1.25 speed. After a couple of years and a hundred plus series I might have come to the end of my Kdrama (and Jdrama) phase. If Squid Game and The Scandal are the direction that at least Netflix is headed--which is where I watch Kdramas--I might take up a new hobby.Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece!
Maybe it's not your cup of tea and that's ok but after watching more than 600 Kdramas and films i find this a real masterpiece. Not only the fantastic acting but also the sceneries are so beautiful and the storyline is good. Yes there are nude people and sex in it well i thinks thats part of life. I understand this not the average Kdrama but have you seen "frozen flower"? LJW has shown ones again that he is such a wonderful actor who can play all roles.Was this review helpful to you?
I rewatched like 3 times after it completed.
ChiCheng will be a special character forever in my heart and TianXuNing too for bringing him SO ALIVE (I dun read the novel), but I love his character so much
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This review may contain spoilers
A Strong Message With a Very Messy Execution
For some reason, this show does an amazing job at building suspense in the first few episodes. There’s this constant feeling that you’re just waiting for the worst possible thing to happen, and I was genuinely invested in seeing how everything would unravel. Unfortunately, I think the writing becomes increasingly shaky as the story progresses.On a random note, So-baek is a retired crash-out 😭 I could tell he was genuinely trying to become a better person and I actually appreciated that aspect of his character. At the same time, there were so many moments where I found myself questioning why these characters were making certain decisions.
So-baek not taking the phone from Jang Kang made absolutely no sense to me. And Eun-su abandoning the phone (one of the most damning pieces of evidence) in a random plant at the airport of all places was an especially major writing flaw. I really don't think that's something Eun-su would realistically do given everything we've seen of her character.
Jin Yeong was another source of frustration. Her leaving Jang Kang in her car in her mother's garage was INSANE. And she continues making bizarrely stupid decisions throughout the story despite being a high-ranking police officer. I had to stop and wonder how someone with that position could repeatedly overlook such obvious things.
I did appreciate the twist involving Jang Kang being, for lack of a better word, completely unhinged. However, I don't think the show did enough to properly build toward it. The reveal itself was interesting, but it felt more like the writers suddenly decided, "okay, he's crazy now", rather than something that had been carefully established throughout the story.
Where the drama really succeeds is in its social commentary. The way it portrays domestic violence being overlooked, minimized, or hidden and how abuse can become intertwined with the pressure to maintain a successful career and public image was handled quite well. I also appreciated that the violence wasn't excessively graphic. Some scenes were difficult to watch, but I think the series showed just enough.
The relationship between Eun-su and Hui-su was cute though. Their willingness to go to extreme lengths for one another makes sense given their history, and I liked that the story was ultimately about two women trying to save each other when the people and systems around them had failed them. And the ending was very cute. 🥹 It gave me the sense of closure I wanted and left me feeling good about where the characters ended up.
But the journey to get there was messy. For a drama dealing with such a serious subject, I was surprised by how little it actually moved me emotionally. I've watched dramas with considerably less serious premises that affected me much more deeply. There were definitely moments where I understood what the show wanted me to feel, but I didn't always feel it myself.
Overall, I'd say this is a good, entertaining short drama with a strong premise, solid suspense, and decent social commentary, but the writing has too many moments where the characters make decisions that feel completely irrational just to keep the plot moving. Honestly, the fact that it's only eight episodes works in its favor. It's an easy watch if you want something dark and suspenseful without committing to a 16-episode drama. Just don't think about the characters' decisions too hard. 😂
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Another great study of love.
Ubukata Miku, the scenarist of this drama, is to me, a master at making bold statements about relationships in the most casual and monotonous way. Her dramas always emphasise the complexity of human beings and relationships, proving her point by introducing the story from different povs and she has such an expanded vision of love and how it manifest and exist in different ways that I cannot simply hate this show.I loved it, it challenged us, viewers, on our stigmas around roles and what a relationship must look like and the genius of it comes from the fact that I was absolutely unable to hate any characters. She made them so tangible and real that I could only sympathise and emplathise with each one of them. They are all complex, they all make mistakes, but they are also all deserving of love and it teaches us that it can manisfest in ways we do not expect or even think possible.
It might seem a bit slow or confusing at times and it is quite dialogue heavy without necessarily saying too much but for people who are interested in studies of love and humans and how the world's expectations have a direct imapct of it, i highly recommend it. Every single actors did a magnificent job in my humble opinion!
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But yeah it lacks in a lot of ways in gaining depth as they go into those two archetypes a lot. But it was overall a real cute show that was easy to watch. It did feel a bit dragged out at points and could have maybe been better in a 6-8 episode format. This is mostly due to the lack of depth and the fact that the romance between the leads leaves much to be desired, they look great on screen together, but the dialogue and plot makes their chemistry very bland. I felt that thought most of the characters were written pretty well, except for the ML and FL. The ML likes the FL wayyyyyyy too much and sometimes acts like he has no pride left at all. This premise can be good sometimes but it didnt hit in the same way that some shows portray it. And the FL is so clueless about everything happening around her, it can be a little frustrating at points.
Don't go in expecting a deeply sophisticated romance if you feel like watching this show, the comedy can get exaggerated and some characters may test your patience. If you are fine with that then this can be a very fresh feeling of a more work focused woman and the more domestic man.
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I'm obsessed
The plot, the acting, the chemistry, the tension, and the height difference is just sooooo perfect. I specifically like the way they act with their eyes, you can really tell how much hard work they put just to bring life to their characters. I just want to thank the actors, the director, and the staff for bringing this masterpiece into my life. I can't even bring myself to watch other series because of Nour, they are all I can think about.Was this review helpful to you?
