Reviews

Great zombie romance

They could very easily carry this series on for multiple seasons, it has a really interesting story, great chemistry and i loved the music. The pacing for the earlier episodes felt better for me, as we reach episodes 14 onwards there's a lot happening that while still being good, i would have loved it to all have time to really settle. If the episodes had been longer we could have got to know the characters more, grown with them rather then hearing about things that happen instead of being shown it, and areas could have been fleshed out better.

Characters are great, main leads work well together and the doctor and his brothers story is interesting, the grandma though, i'm sorry she was just not fleshed out enough, felt like a computer game npc with no real purpose other then 'be a sweet old lady' but other side characters were great and would like another season to explore them all more.

Definitely recommend watching even for non-zombie fans, i'll be re-watching for sure!

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A beautiful drama, but long and sometimes tiring.

The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty

Synopsis:
The story revolves around three main characters: Tang Fan, a brilliant detective; Sui Zhou, an officer of the Northern Imperial Guard; and Wang Zhi, a eunuch. These three meet while solving a case and go on to solve more cases together, uncovering hidden secrets along the way.

Tang Fan:
Strengths: A cheerful, lively, and intelligent character who is a professional foodie and loves serving the people of his country. I wish he had shown more interest in Duo'erla, but since the drama was bromance-focused, his efforts to save her still showed a deep friendship between them. I admire how he didn't care about status or money. He has high self-confidence and sometimes thinks he's always right, but the experiences he gains help him improve.
Weaknesses: Even though Tang Fan was intelligent and ranked first in the imperial exam, he sometimes made naive decisions. I was really disappointed when he fell for Li Zilong's trick regarding the Bolang bomb . But thinking about it now, people do make mistakes. Tang Fan thought that reporting to the Imperial Guard would fix everything — for example, in Mr. Ma's case, did he really think he had saved his life? He was so smart, why didn't he realize they would kill Mr. Ma? Even though Mr. Ma was guilty. This shows that perhaps the law cannot always bring justice for everyone.

Sui Zhou:
A seasoned soldier who lost his subordinates in war. He wanted to help people, but his superior kept mistreating him. He had great cooking skills. Sometimes his indifference toward Dong'er was excessive to the point where I couldn't understand him anymore. Even if his situation wasn't good, he shouldn't have treated Dong'er that way. Regarding the veteran soldiers, I wish Sui Zhou had helped them more and prevented their deaths — wouldn't that have been better? It was interesting that Sui Zhou always saw the same dream up to a certain point.
Wang Zhi:
He was fiercely loyal to the Emperor and Empress. He had a strange personality; I was always afraid of him, especially in the torture room. Sometimes I liked him, sometimes I disliked him. When I learned about his past, I felt sorry for him. He knew well how to force others to help him — his rule of "I help you, you help me" — but this covered up others' sins, which I don't think was right. He knew how to annoy and mock his enemies, which was interesting. I didn't like how he always closed cases that way. When Dong'er came to him worried about Tang Fan and Sui Zhou, instead of comforting her, he said, "What if Tang Fan and Sui Zhou die?" I couldn't believe he said that to her. Sometimes his lack of concern for others or his own subordinates really bothered me. At first, I couldn't believe the Huanyi Brothel belonged to him — I said I'd only believe it if he said it himself. Sometimes his behavior amazed me, like his flattering attitude with some ministers, his serious and terrifying side with others, and his obedient, submissive demeanor around the Empress.

About Wuyun:
You know, both the Ming people and the Oirats were good — you can't say one side was bad. Each has their own people and their own lives, and they could even live well together, like Wuyun. But I couldn't believe that in the end, he stayed with the Ming. If he had betrayed the Ming, I wouldn't have blamed him — he could have even said the Ming killed Aha and sought revenge. But he wasn't that kind of person.

Positives:
The acting was good. The drama had beautiful songs and great comedy, and I'm happy I got to know such characters. One of the most beautiful and emotional scenes I've ever seen was the death of Princess Guan and Wang Xian — I cried so much for it. Wang Xian was such a lovable person, and the Princess wasn't a bad person either; revenge sometimes blinds you and makes you not realize what you're doing to your loved ones. Having a full episode about the past was interesting.

Negatives:
The visual effects were weak in my opinion; if more work had been put into them, it would have been better. Some mysteries were fairly predictable, or a case seemed really interesting but when we reached the answer, I was really disappointed and thought, "How simple it was" — even though solving it took 4-5 episodes. Some cases even had answers that were surprising, but this drama wasn't like that for most of its cases. Regarding the pacing, I didn't feel like watching or continuing for some episodes. During the Bolang explosion in the carriage where Duo'erla and Ars were, Wang Zhi and his men were standing by the gate, but in the explosion scene, they weren't there — yet in the following scenes, they were. This is a weakness. (I might have misunderstood this part.)

All of this is just my personal opinion about this drama, and it might not even be correct. Overall, I give this drama a rating of 7.9 out of 10. I started this drama because of Jackie Chan's involvement as producer, and overall, I found it interesting and worth watching once. It's suitable for those who enjoy historical, detective, comedic, and logical dramas.

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Expectations were NOT met! TT

When I first saw that the FM wasn't Mudeok I was a bit hesitant on watching because I got attached to her in season 1. But then again I though that the person Jung Uk loved in the first season wasn't Naksu but rather another girl even though they had the same soul. Since Naksu will have her real face in season 2 I watched it. Now I expected a lot of things. In season 1 Naksu had a powerful and unyielding personality even as Mudeok. Even though Bu-yeon/Naksu had a soft and mellow personality in the beginning of season 2 I hoped she would become her original self after regaining her memories. But even after regaining them she continued to be a Damsel in distress. Real Naksu was bold, strong and talented. Bu-yeon/Naksu in season 2 was none of that. There was so much crying and self-pitying going on which is unheard from the real Naksu. I was completely dissapointed when she didn't get her powers back.
The next thing was their relationship. I felt like Buyeon/Naksu immediately threw herself at Jung Uk. It was only the 2nd episode when they first kissed. The level of chemistry and yearning that was between Mudeok and Jung Uk was nowhere to be found. I hoped Jung Uk will hold onto to Mudeok's momories and only get together with Buyeon/Naksu after he realized that she was Naksu. The chemistry was forced and failed to deliver the intimacy that Mudeok and Jang Uk had. Hell those two carried complete 20 episodes with only 4 kisses and still succeeded in melting the entire audience. Jung So Min carried the role of Naksu with so much passion and authenticity. Not only with Uk but even with Seo Yul and the Crown Prince her interactions felt real. The new actress failed in delivering that much strong emotions in her interactions. And in this season some romance scenes were really confusing like when Buyeon was patting Jung Uk to sleep and he woke up and kissed her without any context like WTF. There were no sparks or passion even after they really got together. And it was very infuriating how they kept Jung Uk from realizing Buyeon is Naksu until the last 2 episodes. If that happened earlier in the story it would've progressed much better. Then there WAS the realizing in the 8th episode but it was REALLY disappointing. From the way Jung Uk longed for Mudeok in the first episodes I expected a much stronger reaction from him. Him running towards her/hugging/crying/the expressions was what I needed. But NONE of it was there. He just put on this blank face and LEFT???
The next problem was that the required focus wasn't given to the story itself but rather to Buyeon and Uk's relationship. They could've built a killer story with the elements they had after season 1. But instead of focusing on 1 main theme like the Soul-shifting in season 1 many sub plots were forced together without any coherent bonding. And some were really lacking in the reason-outcome bond with many plot holes. Like how the first episodes when the water wraith got into Uk's house it didn't have a connection to the actual plot. It was just so that Uk can come and save Bu yeon. There were no reasoning in how the Unanonimous Assembly went to Jin Mu's side in the end. Jung Uk being the most powerful mage kinda made everything seem monotonous yk. In season 1 he tried and trained very hard to achieve everything but in season 2 it was just swing his sword twice and everyone was dead.
There WERE some memorable and heartwarming scenes if I'm being honest. Like the relationship between Kim Dojoo and Park Jin, Dang-gu and Choyeon and most of all the Crown Prince and his turtle<3 It's sad how Mudeok didn't come back in this season. Jung So Min's absence really made the story lonely....

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Finally, a Series That Lets Us Fans Experience the Story From Our Perspective

I like this series more than I expected. Finally, a series that lets us fans see things from OUR perspective! 😂 Being a fan is one thing, but imagine actually getting the chance to work alongside your favourite celebrity?! I’m already loving this concept!

The story is off to a really interesting start. I like how it puts Wan into a completely unfamiliar world where he suddenly finds himself surrounded by actors he used to admire as a fan. There is already so much potential for funny situations, misunderstandings, romance and of course, plenty of chaos. I especially love the enemies to lovers setup between Wan and Third. Imagine thinking you hate someone, only to slowly realise they might actually be the person you fall for. I’m definitely here for that!

I really missed James after Bed Friend, so I’m glad to see him back. But honestly, what really got me hooked was Auau as Third. He is SO hot and attractive, and his aura is absolutely stunning. He has that cold and confident presence that makes Third immediately stand out. Save as Wan is completely different and so much fun to watch. He is funny, adorable and brings such a lovable energy to the character. Their contrast already works really well together.

The supporting cast also caught my attention, Wan’s friend and his sister. They add a fun younger energy to the story, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their characters develop as the series goes on.

The acting was really good for the first episode. Everyone felt natural in their roles, and the chemistry between the characters is already noticeable. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Wan and Third because you can already feel that there is something interesting developing between them, even though they are still at the stage of constantly getting on each other’s nerves.

I also enjoyed the music and overall sound of the episode. It fits the light and playful atmosphere of the series without taking away from the scenes, and it helps give the drama that fun romantic feel.

Domundi never disappoints, and 5 episodes in was such a fun start. We have an interesting plot, hot actors, good acting, cute characters and one of my favourite tropes, enemies to lovers. I already have a feeling this one is going to nail it for me.

Imagine working alongside your celebrity crush Nine, only to end up falling for the person you hated at the beginning instead. What a plot! 😂

I’m already hooked after 7 episodes and cannot wait for the next episode!

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When friends become connections

I really loved Connection. The suspense was maintained almost until the very end, and the show never felt boring. It starts with the death of Junseo, an old friend from a school friend group, and slowly unfolds the secrets, motives and betrayals surrounding his death.

What I liked most is that the story isn't just about solving a murder. It explores friendship, greed, love, insecurity, validation and betrayal, and almost every character has their own reason for doing what they do.

Jongsoo desperately wanted his father's approval, Taejin saw friendship as a way to gain power and money. Yunho was desperate to become part of inner circle, Sanghui's friendship turned into obsession.

Yunjin was driven by money because she wanted to bring her daughter back.
Jaegyeong's situation was especially interesting because his drug addiction was forced on him, yet he still chose to endure it because he knew leaving would mean Junseo's death could be ruled a suicide.and Ji sung played the role exceptionally.

I really wanted Jaegyeong and Yunjin to become a couple, but the drama didn't focus on romance, which was actually fine because the main story was strong enough without it.

I also loved the ending. Some characters died, some went to jail, and the people who genuinely cared about Junseo found their way back to each other and decided to remain friends.

The final conversation about how friendship changes when people start treating each other as “connections” was probably my favourite part. Everyone was using someone else as a connection to get ahead, and somewhere along the way, the friendship itself was lost.

The mystery was detailed without becoming boring, the characters had clear motivations, and the ending wrapped things up well.

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Not for everyone

It's so cute honestly so much....breath of fresh air from episode 1-5 was amazing from 6-7it felt a bit childish mostly 6 I was like what is going on it was too childish so it may be not for you but I still went along with them....I love the second couple they were so cute and how minimum drama they had ....the first couple chemistry was amazing. What I wonder is why not kiss.... even chef kiss they had so many opportunities.....i have seen series where it highschool drama and couples kiss so....it's a bit annoying but honestly I got hooked with every episode I cried when I had to wait an entire week just to watch it.....
Story -6
Acting -5.5 ( they are moments it felt like they were awkward)
Music -7
Overall 6

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​INCIDENT REPORT - Hostage Situation

​SUMMONS & CITATION:
Multiple Violations of the Public Order Act 🧚‍♀️

​DEFENDANT: The Whole Team of Knot

CHARGES FILED:

​☆ Multiple Violations under Negligence in Scriptomancy
☆ Multiple Offenses of Foulcraft
☆ Several attempts at Illicit Blight Running and One escaped Bog Hound
☆ Grievous Aesthetic Assault including a Reckless deployment of a Lord Farquaad wig

​Disclaimer: If you are easily offended or struggle to laugh at life’s absurdities, please turn back now. You will not survive this document.✨

☆☆☆

I had fully intended to let this show go down in my watch history as my first completed 1 ☆ star rating. My very first voluntary, manic dive into the Stygian Pits. I was prepared to waltz right over the safety barriers, perform a solitary dance naked under the moonlight with deranged eyes, and shout “Wheeeee!” as I tunnel bombed my way straight into the earth's mantle.
However, my Faery brain demands rigorous categorization, so before I lock in a score I might regret four months from now, I am pulling out my Unnecessarily Extra-AF-ometer to calculate the exact structural density of this burning trash can.

Let me use my own brain against myself.

Get your funky, fluffy pens and calculators, and some tea. Here we go ☕️


🤓 SECTION 1: STORY (50% Weight)

☆ Concept: Rating: 7/10 -
The foundational premise was fine, believe it or not. A fun, simple fantasy ride through Omegaverse dynamics where the laws of human imagination are at their most flexible, and logic goes to die because why bother with fantasy otherwise.

A feisty, super powered Super Omega accidentally gets bitten by a mafia heir Super Alpha under immense pressure to prove his Alpha-ness to his Daddy. The cosmic law? When a Super Alpha and Super Omega knot in the truest expression of love, a mythical Enigma can be conceived. Simple, high stakes, and inherently entertaining.

☆ Execution: Rating: 1/10
How on earth, they cocked this up so magnificently, is a mystery for forensic science.
It’s as if the production team scribbled the script on a grease stained McDonald's napkin at 3:00 AM on a drunken Saturday morning, declared it pure genius, and green lit it with a shrug.
- "It's Thailand's first Omegaverse! We just need two good looking men to stay on screen and stand around an expensive mansion waiting for their cues."
- Zero cognitive thought went into portraying the lore. It was purely a vehicle or a contractual hostage situation to keep BoatOat on camera, which is insulting to both the cast and the audience.

☆ Characters & Supporting Caricatures: Rating: 2/10
Our Indominus Rex, I mean Super Alpha, is permanently squeezed into suits two sizes too small to distract us from how criminally spineless and bland he is written. Boat has fabulous peaches though so, who cares? Meanwhile, our 'feisty Super Omega' is presented as a boy with zero emotional intelligence around the world he lives in and where he is placed in it, due to fatherly abandonment. Something I thought would be a given in Omegaverse but 😂 No. Not even a fake belief that he is a standard omega and can max out later on 'Worship Me Hormones'. No. The crows had a feast in that field of thought.
Yet somehow, despite not knowing basic Omegaverse mechanics and acting coy around his own dad, he randomly launches into moral tirades against his in-laws. Stunning character development. 🤦‍♂️

• The 2nd Couple: Love who you want, I suppose. Very much a side note and a sex scene.
• The 3rd Couple: A complete after thought used to hand wave a villain, setting up the company’s next project without explaining a single plot point.
• Alpha’s Parents: Mum is a classic Disney mother (I wished her a Happy Divorce Day because someone in that house needed functioning cognitive abilities and she was the lucky chosen one. Good for her 👏). While Dad sits in his, I couldn't help but imagine, a fart smelling office, repeating a single line like a malfunctioning Kirby doll - "Where is that Omega child?!" 😫 doohh!!
• Omega’s Dad: Exists solely to provide a sad backstory that wasn't half as sweet as the writers thought, before abruptly switching to an overprotective, comedic anime dad despite having abandoned his son for most of his natural life.

I see Super Omega got his father's single brain cell because what do you mean by separating bonded mates? Won't that, you know, result in a little death, like your wife? *scratches head* 🪦


☆ Lore: Rating: 1/10
Quite possibly the funniest disaster of the show. They gave us a gorgeous 2D ink wash animation sequence explaining the ancient origins of the world... only to repeat those exact same rules over and over, and over again, as if the audience shares the Super Omega's brain capacity. Yet when the characters face actual, physical danger, do they use their supreme pheromone powers? No ... Absolutely not. That would require thinking 💀

Special mention for Super Alpha telling his father in law that he raw dogged his son unconcious and there's nothing he can do about it, with a straight, deadpan diplomatic face. He has money, so there ... 🥲 Congratulations PawPaw 🥳

》 Story Average: (7 + 1 + 2 + 1) / 4 = 2.8
3 x 0.5 =
》 Weighted Story Score: 1.5 / 5.0


Holy Oak Tree, That was only part one ....


🫠 SECTION 2: PRESENTATION (30% Weight)

☆ Actors: Rating: 1/10
As an Arts, Literature, and Theatre kid and now an 'unapologetic about it' adult, it physically pains me to say this: the performances were abysmal. The only visible acting effort was poured into the sex scenes, which is just depressing if that’s how they were directed, or felt what was expected of them in the absence of a director because I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reality.
Oat, who can act, looked stiff, exhausted and bored most of the time, and during emotional scenes, we were treated to the strangest attempts at 'psychological distress' I’ve ever witnessed, complete with drugged out eyes and shoulders moving so erratically they looked like they were trying to dislocate and detach off the actor's torso out of pure embarrassment. His own bones were trying to escape this project.

☆ Aesthetic: Rating: 2/10
The only thing that earned points here was Boat’s hair. Everything else looked like a biohazard. They spent their entire budget renting a single mansion (in which they filmed in every available square inch. Go on, get every cent spent guys ) and dumped the rest into a real world perfume campaign, that no one needed, surely? The wardrobe didn't fit, the styling was greasy, and who decided on the Lord Farquaad wig? Come here 🫡

Everyone looked like they desperately needed a hot shower and some loose cotton clothes ..... and a warm meal and a hug honestly.

☆ Production & Editing: Rating: 1/10
I was convinced the cinematographer was velcroed to the ceiling. One minute we were looking straight down from the rafters like a cute little spider, the next we were looking up an actor's left nostril like a shoelace, followed by an aggressive overuse of a fisheye lens that made me feel just as high as the crew clearly was. The editing had literal mid-scene jump cuts. A film student would be chewed tf out by their professor for handing this in.

☆ Audio: Rating: 2/10
The audio mixing was slightly more stable than the camera work, but a pity point is all I can spare. The opening theme song singer desperately needs vocal lessons. She sounds like she is in pain.

》 Presentation Average: (1 + 2 + 1 + 2) / 4 = 1.5
1.5 x 0.3 =
》 Weighted Presentation Score: 0.5 / 3.0

Still going, but last part ....


🤡 SECTION 3: IMPACT (20% Weight)

☆ Enjoyment: Rating: 4/10
I enjoyed this show the exact same way one enjoys a poorly performed circus or a carnival trainwreck. It was awful, cheesy, and provided unmatched rage bait fodder for the weekly MDL comment section. It was the ultimate Tuesday night sanity breaker and I clapped like a seal, choking, every week without fail.

☆ Satisfaction: Rating: 1/10
Refer back to Concept. We received none of what was promised.

☆ Rewatch Value: Rating: 0/10
😂 No.

☆ Overall Experience: Rating: 3/10
The experience was saved by being awake, alive, and surrounded by fellow viewers who were just as morbidly amused by this disaster as I was.

》 Impact Average: (4 + 1 + 0 + 3) / 4 = 2.0
2.0 x 0.2 =
》 Weighted Impact Score: 0.5 / 2.0

THE FINAL VERDICT: (1.5 + 0.5 + 0.5)
2.5 / 10 (2.5 ☆ ) 🥀🕯️

By the cold power of my own mathematical system, I have discovered that I did not, in fact, freefall through the earth's core into the Stygian Pits. Instead, I landed square in the Catacombs where I was slowly eaten alive by rabid vampires, cackling wildly, as they consumed my brain with a spoon 🧛‍♀️🥄

​In summary: 10/10 for community morale and 0/10 for basic storytelling etiquette. I regret as much as I learned. Nothing.

​If anyone needs me, I will be having tea with the Chaos Gremlin who wrote and created this whole thing all on their lonesome, because everyone else wandered off and is now lost somewhere, but no one cares, before escorting it back to the Realms of Madness from which it escaped.

​You fought for your dreams bravely, little guy. 🫖🧁 Proud of you. 🌟

*The finale, in any other circumstances, would have taken a 0.5 pt penalty for the sheer laziness that personified this show but, I laughed so hard watching it, I feel they cancel each other out so ... yeah ... 😂

2.5 ☆

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LIVE FREELY!! ISN’T IT MORE STYLISH?

I think I’ve got my favorite C-drama! These little and huge milestones each of the characters go through… I imagine myself in these situations. Experiences through career, love, daily mundane situations — it is somehow relatable. Living in a CBD district, talking about goals, setting aside dreams. Focusing on surviving, I am witnessing the reality of this big world. Facing beautiful things, going through setbacks. Fake It Till You Make It showcased lives of normal, working individuals.

ALSO, I cannot not mention Tang Ying & Xu Zi Quan. May I find a relationship as compatible and mature and healthy as they have. These healthy conversations. I LOVE HOW THEY HANDLE IT! The evolution of their relationship, from strangers to friends to a couple to a soon-to-be married couple. May they have a continuous loving relationship.

Elvira & Elvis has this amazing chemistry!! May they work again in a good project!

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Amazing/Incroyable

English:
This was an amazing drama. I loved it. I watched it all in one sitting because it was so good. I loved the plot, the acting/actors, and the production. Everything was so good. I've seen so many BL dramas, and this is definitely top 3 in my opinion. I would definitely come back to rewatch this drama at some point.

Français:
C'était un drame incroyable. J'ai adoré. Je l'ai regardé d'un seul coup parce que c'était tellement bien. J'ai adoré l'intrigue, les acteurs, la production. Tout était tellement bien. J'ai vu tellement de dramas BL, et celui-ci est définitivement dans mon top 3 à mon avis. Je reviendrai certainement le revoir à un moment donné.

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CUTE, CHAOTIC & ACTUALLY FUN?!

Okay, Police in Love really surprised me with how much I enjoyed Episode 1! 😂💗

Yin-War as a couple are already givingggg. Their chemistry feels natural, the rom-com moments are actually cute, and the comedy?? Thankfully, NOT cringe! 😂 It has that fun, easygoing vibe that makes you want to keep watching just to see what kind of chaos these two get into next.

Episode 1 was genuinely entertaining, and I’m already invested in their dynamic. 👀❤️

Definitely recommend giving this one a try, especially if you’re a Yin-War fan! If the first episode is anything to go by, we’re in for a fun ride. 🫶🏻✨

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Where's the "tragedy" tag?

Summary:
Coroner/physician FL + general/political-competent ML = solving cases together with their subordinates, friends and families. They want to uncover the truth behind the murders and deaths of their father and mother (FL) and cousin (ML).

Liked:
+ Arc-style story-telling with cases last for a few episodes;
+ Blended well mystery, thriller, comedy, action, romance, political intrigue, and tragedy;
+ Focuses on solving crimes, work with a few dashes of romance;
+ Clear-headed, sensible characters with proper development;
+ Well-established and well-built relationships between the leads, from partners, to friends, then lovebirds;
+ Great chemistry of the leads, the leads with the supporting and guest cast;
+ Proper good acting, especially so with some guest stars;
+ Women empowerment but walk the talk;
+ Social commentary with nuances;
+ The last mystery was great;
+ Good OST and music;
+ Great set design, art direction, cinematography and martial arts choreography;

Disliked:
- First 5 eps were weak;
- Illogical and uneven writing at times, but story gets better as the series progresses;
- A bit too fast-paced, thus, lacks some and better explanations and clarifications;


-----


Longgggg:

Even though, it was one of the top shows in 2025 per Yunhe, I almost didn't watch it because of the 6.5 Douban score. Then, I remembered "Love Has Fireworks", which I enjoyed immensely, also got around that mark... I proceeded with cautions. And here I am, finishing it after two weeks (or so)!

The first 5 episodes are a chore (how this trait is similar to "Love Has Fireworks, again). It is like child play and illogical. Its only saving graces are the set design and art direction. (More in comments.) So, I continue and the next two cases get better.

Case stories-wise, from episode 6 onward, they are all good and intriguing. I get how this show caused a stir in the online community during its run time. Even if the perpetrators are mostly kind of obvious, it keeps me guessing on the how's and the why's. I want the plots to unfold. I want to see how each arc ends. Admittedly, the quality of each arc isn't consistent due to different storylines and focuses. Still good overall, especially the intense last case (episode 32-28).

Logic-wise, it's similar to the hill-car-chase scene in "One Battle After Another". This is due to how fast-paced this show is. It would have benefitted if they gave some, better or more explanations for their examined findings. (More in comments.) I'm left baffled and need to rewind several times just to clarify or catch up with the dialogues and re-examining (googling) what (heck or nonsense) they might be spouting.

Here are what it gets better at and is better than many shows I've watched.

First, the acting and characterisation:

This is my first Li Lan Di's projects. I heard a good deal about her skills as an actor. She leaves me disappointed in the first arc. But gradually, she grows into her role and plays a convincing, likeable, rational, reasonable and emotionally-sound FL.

This is also my first Ao Rui Peng's series. Before, I considered him an idol-actor. So colour me surprised when dude can act consistently and expressively throughout. He fits this role to a tee (like He Yu fits the green tea crown prince in "Blossoms of Power").

They both have great chemistry as business partners, then friends, and finally lovebirds. Their relationship is well-established and well-developed. It's one of those healthy, reasonable relationships that doesn't include simps, but two clear-headed people who respect, understand and love one another, good or bad. They compliment, reassure, advocate, and most importantly, help one another heal and grow.

The HEALING of the two leads, in my opinion, can be easily overlooked. But it's their anchor, where their trust and love for one another shine the brightest. Because they are healed, they are able to move forward and move on from the tragedies that befall upon them. Beautiful and equal partnerships like this are rarely well-told in Chinese series.

Thanks heavens, these two characters are not greasy! They seem OP (more in comments), but I continue to grow fond of and root for them, instead of feeling turned-off. Because they take things seriously and earnestly. Many series I've watched where main characters act like know-it-all and holier-than-thou that they give me constant secondhand embarrassment.

Second, the main storyline that interweaves NUANCES with social commentary:

Frankly, I have to really look at it to see a stronger connection among all the cases that lead to the final case. It's somewhat less noticeable given the arc-style story-telling. As the episodes creep up to the 20s, I get worried that it won't spend enough time on the biggest case or the big bad. ("Legend of Zang Hai" failed at this for me.)

But, bear with me, the dead ends are reasonable. I remember watching "Justice Bao" and "Young Justice Bao" as a kid. Even they got to walls, from time to time. Under restricted legality, they simply had to drop until new clues and opportunities revealed themselves. This is similar. So, when it unravels, it freaking unravels! The last case is packed with suspense and intensity. Like the previous ones, it gives hints but I have to watch it to see where it goes. It's a satisfactory, powerful and focused ending.

What I love most are the nuances and social commentary behind the story, dialogues and characters. It shows the jarring pains the patriarchy causes, including that belongs to the systems, ideologies, movements (ie. feudalism, totalitarianism, feminism, sexism, ect.) and affect family and people at deeply and harmfully personal levels.

I also appreciate the impartiality where, sometimes, someone and something can't be categorise in black-or-white. Viewers who don't like being looked down upon will definitely appreciate this. Oh, how they have back-and-forth arguments between the bad guys AND back-and-forth discussions among the good folk (for examples: emperor vs cult leader, empress vs noble consort, FL vs ML, leads vs empress dowager) is chef's kiss!

Third, this series has a good blend of mystery, thriller, romance ("Legend of Zang Hai" should take notes), comedy, social commentary and tragedy (someone add this to the tags please). It has a RECAP in the conclusion! That's a first and an extremely good thing for me. Because I want to revisit and re-appreciate all the impactful characters. It also means a great deal of reflection and learning. Rare as it is, I'm all for it and for more of it.

Fourth, the production, notably the art direction, set design (again), cinematography and martial arts choreography. Beautiful short-story flashbacks. Beautiful and forceful fight scenes. (I'm sick and tired of greasy, posey characters and stories trying to portray coolness, instead giving serious cases of cringe and goosebumps (even hives), colour me yikes for real).

Fifth, I almost forgot: They don't COUGH UP BLOOD unnecessarily! Hurrah, hurrah! I'm (also) sick and tired of seeing characters coughing up blood in the most inane situations, circumstances or for aesthetics. It cheapens the story and the characters as a whole. (Colour me in disgust.)

Sixth, I almost forgot again... The first half of this series is damn hilarious to me, including comedic bits and ridiculous settings (honest lmao). The third and last part is dead serious.

I really want to keep this short. But I realise, I have kept it long enough. I'll share some more thoughts in the comments. I especially welcome discussion :D

Lastly, I think iQiyi has some good investigation shows under their name. They should seriously consider expanding "Coroner's Diary". I'd absolutely watch another season or two, provided its quality can be kept. I'm sure Li Lan Di and Ao Rui Peng can only benefit from something like "Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty" (wink, wink).

Conclusion: I'd watch more season(s) of this.

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I feel like this drama should be required viewing in all schools in the world

I came into this show, knowing that Japanese dramas usually are quirky and overacted. I wondered how Japan would handle a psychological thriller for the young masses.

It went as expected. The drama was overacted to the point of being cartoonish, but the thing about this kind of acting is that it makes intense moments feel more... intense. And so it was.

I was a bit disappointed until the last episode, planning on giving it a 7/10. I felt like the plot was too convoluted at times, but I also know that it was because in the situation caused by Hiragii, the authorities would be a lot less passive. However, the irreality pays off in the end

I feel like this drama should be required viewing in all schools in the world. And maybe in most workplaces.

It's not like this plot wasn't done before and to be quite honest, for most of the series, there was that sensation of Hiragii teaching important things and making his students think and learn to think for themselves, but I also think the true objective was not very apparent to the casual viewer which may detract from the lesson it wants to teach the world.

These types of shows are a warning. Pity no one seems inclined to listen.

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Shallow narrative

Seven mortal hours I squandered on a homophobic tale of four wretched men, whose joys were but candles kindled in a tomb, flickering, fragile, and soon quenched by the cold hand of convention

Phop's "father:" Lady Varna possesses exquisite grace and refined conduct, which together form the very essence of a lady. Truly, she is most suited to stand by Phop's side
Phop's "mother:" What about you, dear Klao? Have you set your sights upon any particular lady?
Klao: Well, I ... I have yet to set my sights upon any
Phop's "father:" Then you must hasten to do so. You, too, should see to it that you are properly wed without further delay before committing yourself to royal service. Only then shall you be a man of true credibility (episode 5, 4:56)

Klao: He's about to get married. Hold back your thoughts and feelings. You'd be better off quitting the game before it starts, Nakun! (episode 4, 58:08)
Klao: Let's complete the mission and return home. I refuse to be stuck here just to get married (episode 5, 33:11)

Jom: Are you drawn to men?
Phop: Is it that odd? Are you not the same, or am I mistaken?
Jom: ... It is simply impossible, the whole capital will be abuzz with gossip over this (episode 7, 20:04)

So great was the pressure to conform, to take a spouse, to sire children, that the men could not cherish one another, lest they be cast into disrepute. I could no more abide this farce. The homophobia, nor the male fortune teller donning the semblance of a woman. "Womanhood" or "manhood" is not a garment to be donned or discarded at will

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A collection of random scenes

It started out quite well for a miniseries, with that hate-caused-by-misunderstanding-trope leading to the mutual abuse. And that was a huge part of the drama, the leads kept torturing each other before sacrifing themselves for each other, in the second half it seemed that they produced many abuse-scenes and wished to use them all, so they packed them in a random order. We have many poisonings, they all got poisoned at some point, it became hilarious. The fighting-scenes were bad, but it's a minidrama, so they couldn't do much. I just shivered when seeing that scene where the FL came to save the ML while spreading wildly some red fog (probably some drug or poison, as we were already used to it) and they could miraculously escape. On the bright side I think the actors did quite well with what was given. All in all, I wouldn't watch it again, but I've seen worse

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