Reviews

One of my comfort shows

The 2 MLs had so much chemistry, their friendship/brotherhood/romance was mature yet playful, deep and meaningful. They had their differences, they disagreed but there was not a forced, prolonged separation thrown into this show, instead the characters were intelligent, patient and understanding and that is satisfying to watch. The fight scenes were beautiful, well choreographed and the music was well suited to the scenes. The costumes and colouring was also great.  I enjoyed the flirtation throughout and found it refreshing to see.

It gets a little tiring to watch  CDramas where the FL and the ML hate, flirt, fight, love and live happily ever after .. sometimes it comes off a little too forced but this show was refreshingly funny and cute. 

You can have the biggest budget, the best storyline BUT if your leads are not well written and loved then the show will fail. The 2 leads in Word of Honor .. made the show.

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The plot was nothing new and yet I ate it up

I'm really struggling with how to rate this. The drama had a lot of issues BUT in terms of romance and vibes, it's 10/10.

The drama is about Jinzhao, the female lead who, due to a fortune-teller's prediction, was sent away to live with her grandmother. Upon her coming of age ceremony, she is welcomed back home. While dealing with family drama, and outside palace schemes, she catches the eyes of three men. Chen Yanyun, (the male lead) a powerful minister who her grandmother assists. Ye Xian, (the second male lead), an heir from a military family who has a life-long heart condition. Chen Xuanqing (third male lead), a top scholar and male lead’s nephew. As well as, Ji Yao (fourth male lead), her cousin who has doted on her since childhood and helps her throughout the story.

POSITIVE:
- Slow burn was burning real nice! Their marriage age was just as good.
- Mix of romance (at the forefront), family drama, simple palace politics and war (towards the end).
- Reverse Harem. The 4 men loved her differently and all had a significant role in her life.
- Angst. I ate up all the intense confrontational scenes.
- Fantastic fight scenes, including war scenes.
- Satisfying slaps. Probably the most slaps I’ve seen in a historical drama.
- Male lead: calculative, cunning and mature. Morally grey on the surface but it’s actually a green flag. Ci Sha played the role to perfection and Sanye has become one of my top 2026 favourites.
- Female lead: sassy and scheming. What I most loved is that she didn’t let anyone bully her. Ren Min’s best role for sure. Jinzhao has become one of my top 2026 favourites.
- Pretty cinematography and costumes.

NEGATIVE:
- There were lots of issues that were more nuanced than anything. BUT the one thing that truly bugged me was the writing between Jinzhao (FL) and Ye Xian (SML). So, throughout the whole drama, she treated him as nothing more than an ally. And yet in the end he was suddenly her “only special friend” that she suddenly cherished like crazy and displayed strong reactions for??!! The writers totally failed to show me their close bond. It felt weird that while she claimed such grand soulmate friendship, he was openly in love with her?! Look, I actually liked certain aspects of his character, but him whipping her was totally unnecessary and destroyed their bond for me. Plus his manchild behaviour was not it. The potential was there but the writing was off. It would have been better if their relationship was strictly friendship or if he was simply a devoted lead.

OVERALL:
I started this drama solely because of the hot chemistry between Ci She and Ren Min in The Rise of Ning. This powerhouse couple did not disappoint. The plot was nothing new and yet I ate it up. The heart-fluttering romance was truly the driving force in this drama, and if you are purely watching for the vibes, I definitely recommend it.

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Right in middle of the enjoyment spectrum

This drama starts off on slightly the wrong shoe size (ha!) but eventually finds its footing. It grows on you over time.

I found the first part of the drama to be overly dramatic, slow-paced, and somewhat far-fetched, which is probably why I couldn't connect with it as quickly as I thought I would. There were many parts of the story that were teased but never fully explored, which became frustrating by the time I reached episodes 8 or 9 – it felt like too long of a tease.

That said, one aspect I really enjoyed was the portrayal of how terrible fans can be to their idols. Once again, we see a realistic approach to parasocial relationships between fans and idols, and I always appreciate that depiction in media!

While I had issues with the beginning, the second part of the drama makes up for it. The action really develops once cracks begin to form in the characters' carefully built facades, allowing the plot holes from earlier to unravel. The romance is also a sweet addition. Hoo Joon and Geun Young develop a charming love story while initially ‘hating’ each other, and I was entertained by every interaction between them. I did find the sudden development of his interest in her a bit off-putting, but I was too invested by that point to care. I also wished Geun Young had grown as a character a bit more – she seemed to be holding back even after everything she had been through, which was somewhat irritating.

On the other hand, the story between Oh In Hyung and JJ was not straightforward or sweet. I appreciated that they resolved their issues in the end, but we can't overlook how JJ treated her before their accident. He controlled her phone, friendships, career, and even her home. He was physically abusive as well. This is not a healthy relationship, and Oh In Hyung deserved so much better!

Overall, this drama is entertaining. It may not be the best thing you’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly not the worst either – it sits right in the middle of the enjoyment spectrum.

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A true masterpiece

Under the Queens umbrella was nothing short of a masterpiece. It was beautifully written with such compelling characters.
Queen Hwa-Ryeong was more than an amazing character who I believed at first would just be a mother constantly chasing after her children but she proved to be very powerful and strong without ever losing her femininity and compassion. The title was a true testament of her character. A mother who protects her children without waivering and loves them unconditionally even with their flaws.
The romance was also handled well without changing the overall tone of the story.
1000/10 would recommend this to anyone.

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Lack of chemistry, frustrating ML & infuriating romance arc left me unsatisfied

A reddit friend told me about Shen Hao Nan having dimple. I wanted to verify so opened my iQIYI app and randomly chose this drama because I thought it was a sweet campus romance. Oh I was wrong!

What I liked:
1. Acting - I was moved by A Shang's performance during scenes of FL recollecting her past. I cried - that's unexpected. I also cried when ML realised how precious FL was to him.
2. FL characterisation - I liked her character pre and post rebirth. It's great that she reinvented herself post rebirth. I liked her character growth except that last part.
3. Confessions - FL shared her perspectives of her wasted potential in past life with ML and I was heartbroken by her insights.
4. Supporting characters - I liked FL's best friend Liu Nian. ML's brother was ok but his character was underdeveloped. I liked FL's grandfather & ML's mother.
5. Drugged - I just want to say that the treatment to ML's drugging was refreshing. I was shocked.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - I didn't like that ML pester FL for a second chance in their relationship. For a couple who had been together for 10 years, they were emotionally disconnected. I didn't buy the romance and was disheartened that FL decided to give him another chance.
2. ML characterisation - He was terrible at expressing his love in his past life. Once reborn, I found him selfish. I wish he had given FL space to grow & realise her potential without his meddling.
3. Plot - Overall the story left me unsatisfied. There were plenty of loose ends from SML's role in this whole drama to that crappy reconciliation.
4. Acting - I see chemistry as subset of acting and there was lack of chemistry between A Shang & Shen Hao Nan. Their couple scenes were awkward as though they didn't know how to play off their characters' dynamic.

Favourite scene
When FL told ML how she wasted her potential because her focus on him

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Good one. Must watch

Good drama. I really loved the main characters storyline and their chemistry. Wish we had a more elaborative ending with a marriage ceremony but anyways...

Didn't like the other 2 couples boring as hell. 2nd couple had no Chem and they filled up half of episodes. Skipped most of theres also 3rd couple esp sml being in love with fl for majority of it.

Disliked the villain girl so much. Didn't get any consequences for her action after repeatedly doing bad stuff towards fl ml and sml. There lifes were ruined bec of her. And she instead got unparalleled supprt from fl. I skipped her when she was forgiven. Fl helping her blah blah....idiotic as hell.

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It's a film full of quality and acting talent darma

At the very heart of this spectacular opening is the female protagonist, Li Zhen. Her character arc is nothing short of extraordinary, and the actress's performance is a brilliant, 100% perfect portrayal of resilience and determination. From the moment she appears on screen, she commands attention. We witness Li Zhen taking her first courageous, calculated steps toward monumental goal: reviving her family's legacy and reclaiming the stolen dignity and honor of her beloved father and grandfather. She does not play the victim; instead, she takes charge of her destiny with an iron will, making her one of the most compelling and refreshing protagonists in recent drama history.
This drama is an absolute gem, and it deserves a perfect 10/10 rating without a doubt. From thệ incredible cinematography to the brilliant directing, everything about this production is high quality. What stands out the most is the exceptional acting skills of the main cast. They portray their characters with so much emotional depth and dedication, making every scene unforgettable. It is deeply frustrating to see malicious anti-fans deliberately review bombing this show with low ratings to ruin its score. This beautiful piece of work represents the intense dedication of the actors and the entire production crew, and it should be judged solely on its actual merit. If you are looking for a drama with a strong storyline, magnificent acting, and cinematic beauty, do not let the biased low ratings fool you. Please give this masterpiece a chance, because it is truly one of the best shows of the year. Let's support fair ratings and protect this wonderful work!
The production quality, music, and casting are all flawless. If you are looking for a drama with high production value, remarkable acting talents, and a storyline that will keep you thoroughly hooked, this is the one. It is a masterpiece that is worth rewatching over and over again!

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Watch this to recharge

I had a blast watching My Troublesome Star from beginning to the end. I really like Uhm Jung Hwa; she is effortlessly funny and really a good actress, and her role choices are always so interesting.

Plot**
The story tells about Im Se Ra, a popular actress who has become Korea's sweetheart, and as she is becoming more and more notorious, she gets into a strange car accident. Since then, she disappears, but 25 years later, she comes back to the spotlight with shocking revelations.

The kdrama was really a nice watch; it has a good amount of comedy and storytelling with a bit of a reality check in terms of the scary deals that female celebrities have to go through to get to the top. The story is fun, not heavy but still has a bit of drama, and it was a pleasure to see the female lead and male lead together; they worked so well, and I had seen them in another movie together years and years ago, and they had great chemistry, so I was so happy to see them again as romantic interests.

This is definitely one of those dramas you can watch easily; it's not heavy, and it's very enjoyable. The cast does a really great job; I really love the choice of Jang Da A as the young Im Se Ra. Although she is new, she is incredibly talented. I saw her in Pyramid Game and thought she was a seasoned actress, only to find out that was her debut role. She is so talented, and I hope I get to see her more and more.

Lee El, who plays the role of the antagonist, is so good. I have seen a few kdramas with her, and I think she is so underrated; she played her role so well with a bit of sassy comedy. I really disliked her character, who was so jealous and ready to do anything for fame and Lee El was so good at potraying her.

Uhm Jung Hwa, she is such a funny and talented actress; whenever I see her in the cast of a project, I am always eager to watch it as I know she is going to be funny and the story is going to be good and not going to stress my mind. This is exactly what this drama is; it’s funny but also heartfelt.

If you are looking for something that makes you relax and makes you laugh after watching a heavy dramas, I would definitely suggest this one.

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Cute, Chaotic & Surprisingly Good

Honestly, this drama turned out to be completely different from what I expected but in a good way. The whole simulation dating app concept was actually genius and gave the story such a fresh, modern vibe. It felt very “this generation” without trying too hard, and I loved that. More importantly, it understood exactly what kind of drama it wanted to be: a light, fun 10-episode rom-com that doesn’t drag unnecessary angst for 16 episodes straight.

The drama didn’t try to force deep trauma plots or shocking twists just for emotional impact. Instead, it gave us just enough to understand Mirae, her fears, insecurities, and the effect her past relationship had on her without making the entire story emotionally exhausting. And honestly? That worked in its favor. I’d rather watch a drama that stays simple and consistent than one that introduces heavy issues only to completely abandon them halfway through with weak explanations. This one knew its limits and played to its strengths perfectly.

The enemies-to-lovers/bickering dynamic between the leads was fun to watch. Their teasing, tension, and constant back-and-forth carried so much of the drama’s charm. Was their love story deeply emotional and layered? Not really. But I genuinely don’t think it needed to be. The vibe of the drama was more about chemistry, and fun rather than heartbreaking emotional depth, and it delivered exactly that.

Now let’s talk about Jisoo because people seriously had me expecting the worst. I kept seeing comments calling her acting cringe, awkward, etc., so I went in fully prepared to be disappointed… but she actually surprised me a lot. She felt pretty natural for most of the drama, especially during the flirting scenes in the dating simulation. Girl looked SMOOTH there. Like she genuinely sold the playful charm of Mirae really well.
I will admit that hospital crying scene in the last episode was rough. That was probably the one moment where the acting felt noticeably awkward and overdone. But aside from that? She did a solid job overall, and I honestly think people were being way harsher on her than necessary.

But can we PLEASE talk about Eunho? Because that man absolutely carried the chemistry department. Every scene between him and Mirae had this magnetic energy that made them ridiculously fun to watch together. Their dynamic just clicked naturally, and those little moments between them ended up being my favorite part of the drama.

And Park Gyeong Nam??? His journey from “annoying coworker I can’t stand” to “wait… why am I kinda rooting for him?” was honestly so entertaining. That progression was done really well, and he and Mirae had surprisingly good chemistry too.

Overall, I had a genuinely good time watching this drama. It didn’t try to be deeper or more dramatic than it needed to be. It stayed fun, modern, charming, and easy to binge and sometimes that’s exactly what a rom-com needs to be.

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Li Zhen proves that a woman's greates YZ's acting.

It is incredibly rare for a drama to completely captivate its audience within the very first week of broadcasting, yet this phenomenal series has done exactly that.
| can confidently and proudly state that this show is an absolute masterpiece, leaving absolutely no room for criticism. Every single element-ranging from the tight, gripping storyline and the exceptional casting to the beautifully composed soundtrack-aligns flawlessly to create an immersive viewing experience.
Even though the drama is still in its early stages and far from its final conclusion, the sheer quality showcased in these opening episodes thoroughly deserves a perfect overall score of 10/10.For women everywhere, Li Zhen stands as a powerful,Her journey strikes a deep, emotional chord because it reflects harsh but realistic societal truth. She teaches us that no matter how impoverished your circumstances may be, and no matter how much you are looked down upon, marginalized, or insulted by your own relatives and family, you must never allow their disdain to break your spirit. Instead of drowning in despair or waiting for a savior, Li Zhen proves that a woman's greatest weapon is her own competence and intellect. She inspires female viewers to rely entirely on their own inner strength, to stand tall against prejudice, and to fight relentlessly to rebuild their lives from the ground up.What impressed me the mnost is YZ's acting.
Her performance feels so natural and perfectly balanced never too much, never too little. Even in quiet scenes, her expressions and emotions speak for ... his presence is eagerly anticipated and promises to add another compelling layer to an already brilliant drama.

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Muhee getting rejected in 50 different ways yet still refusing to gain any dignity

Okay, so I just finished this drama, and my thoughts haven’t changed much since I wrote this review after watching the first eight episodes.

Kim Seon-ho returning to rom-coms had me seated and I like the actress too. The first few episodes had everything going for it — unique storyline, fun chemistry, interesting setup and beautiful cinematography. Then episode 5 happened and things started to get too boring !

My issue is with Cha Mu-hee continuing to chase after Hojin even after he rejected her several times! I understand she’s supposed to be cute persistent, but at some point it stopped being “cute rom-com chasing” and just became too repetitive to watch. Episode 5 gave me secondhand embarrassment because Ho-jin LITERALLY rejected her saying if she was okay being a rebound. That should’ve been the moment she stepped back and regained some dignity. But no. The very next day she kissed him like nothing happened??
After misunderstanding Ho-jin and dramatically saying goodbye in episode 6, she STILL followed his friend just to get to his house in the next episode. THAT was my final straw. Like at that point I paused the episode because it was frustrating to watch.

Plus I couldn’t understand how Dorami resolved misunderstanding between Muhee and Hojin??It felt more like she held Hojin hostage until he accepted Muhee! But I feel like there was NO REAL MISUNDERSTANDING between them! It’s simply that both of them had complex personalities.

And don’t even get me started on Yongu’s love story with Ji seon!! Like WHAT!! It felt so random and unnecessary. Also, how did Ho-jin magically get over years of feelings after ONE conversation? This man spent half the drama ranting about her, only to move on in five minutes?? Ji seon could’ve been used for making the story complicated and create a real conflict between the main leads but instead she was given useless subplot love story .

Honestly, I watched because I love Kim Seon-ho and I needed to see where this trainwreck goes, but wow… I expected SO much better after those first few episodes and what was even that last episode ???

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Yang Zi's acting is always on point.

It is incredibly rare for a drama to completely captivate its audience within the very first week of broadcasting, yet this phenomenal series has done exactly that. Having watched only from episode 1 to episode 6, | can confidently and proudly state that this show is an absolute masterpiece, leaving absolutely no room for criticism. Every single element-ranging from the tight, gripping storyline and the exceptional casting to the beautifully composed soundtrack-aligns flawlessly to create an immersive viewing experience. Even though the drama is still in its early stages and far from its final conclusion, the sheer quality showcased in these opening episodes thoroughly deserves a perfect overall score of 10/10.For women everywhere, Li Zhen stands as a powerful,Her journey strikes a deep, emotional chord because it reflects harsh but realistic societal truth. She teaches us that no matter how impoverished your circumstances may be, and no matter how much you are looked down upon, marginalized, or insulted by your own relatives and family, you must never allow their disdain to break your spirit. Instead of drowning in despair or waiting for a savior, Li Zhen proves that a woman's greatest weapon is her own competence and intellect. She inspires female viewers to rely entirely on their own inner strength, to stand tall against prejudice, and to fight relentlessly to rebuild their lives from the ground up.What impressed me the mnost is YZ's acting. Her performance feels so natural and perfectly balanced never too much, never too little. Even in quiet scenes, her expressions and emotions speak for themselves. She delivers every moment so smoothly that it feels completely

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