Reviews

Utterly Enjoyable from the first Title Sequence on Nov 12, 2025

This drama was such a refreshing brilliance of artistry, music, casting and cinematography from the get-go, it took the globe by storm. What was to be a simple, lighthearted romcom became the weekly addiction of millions of kdrama fans worldwide. Shocking not just the producers, but the actors as well. Jang Ki Yong and Ahn Eun Jin who played the lead roles worked really hard to give us chemistry, comedy, heartache and happiness.

SHORT REVIEW: Excellent for 13 hours and 15 minutes. It had everything you could want, and things you didn't know you wanted in a romcom. The chemistry between the lead male and female was exceptional - it will become legendary. And if you can look at it as a whole and not get stuck in 5% of its story timeline, you will adore this one. The haters trying to topple Dynamite Kiss can try but they can't undo the love of a global audience for this one. No one expected anything this delightful. So, if you hate romcoms, don't watch them.

LONGER REVIEW:
At 14 episodes, it is 2 less than many of us expect but that trend for shorter romcoms is affecting decisions made by the Director and Writer also. Did they make perfect decisions? No. But they did great.

The soundtrack for Dynamite Kiss was spectacular. 'Special Day' captures your imagination with the artwork used in the Title sequence and gives so many clues about this special story. The brilliant colours used give the impression of ultimate happiness to come.

Episodes 1 and 2 set the foundation for the story amazingly well. The choices of scenes and each character's interactions with their day-to-day environment, tell you who they are. It's graphic and it's clear; these are mature adults with specific strengths and weaknesses. Many viewers obviously didn't pay attention and so came to very incorrect assumptions about both leads during the thick of the drama. The soundtrack supports every detail and once the leads meet, that same soundtrack haunts the viewer.

Main strengths of this drama is character development; or revealing the potential of each character. The potential of our leads isn't just the delivery of job requirements; it includes growth in self-knowledge or adherence to their virtue as a human being. It is also the realization of how truly mysterious love comes into being between a man and woman. Theres a spark and sizzle that takes place somewhere, and neither can pinpoint when it occurred. Only point to the obvious result of attraction and an explosive kiss that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

There is such a hue and cry about cliches and tropes. Frankly I didn't notice any of these being a problem until the very last episode when it became obvious the Writer was struggling to control the flow after introducing so many heavy situations that influence a clean ending. The faltering starts in episode 11 but got out of hand in 14. This is the only real problem that affected my enjoyment of this drama. But the trend these days among dissatisfied viewers is to be toxic and tear down the popularity of a drama to suit themselves. I've seen the comments here..."it's still has a rating 8.2. It shouldn't be that high" then the haters go to work with their 1 star ratings. I feel just like Ji Hyeok during the interview when the water spilled on him...."WOW!" Intentional actions just to be mean really are a thing in our times. Petty.

If there really is unforgivable content in the story and characters, it will be the second ML and FL. Their story really tanks due to the 5% oddball writing at the end. The second ML was just too rigid and it begs the question about why he's single and divorced. The second FL was too good for the likes of the 2nd ML. The child involved was left to fend for himself due to his father's issues. This part of the drama really sucked!

If anyone reads this review, I hope they enjoyed Dynamite Kiss for what it was. A romcom about two unique and enduring characters who met, fell in love, started to live new lives that improved them as persons, and then made a beautiful future together. It had so much to offer it's hard to put into words because so many characters are loveable or need ultimate ruin to fix them.

DEFINITELY one of the BEST dramas of 2025. And one of my absolute favourite romantic comedy dramas - definitely in the top 5.

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Underrated Wen Ni-Jian Yu Chen version

I like the premises of Wen Ni-Jian Yu Chen plot about office partner who looked like mortal enemies while the truth they are secetly married due FL past, FL treat the marriage as cohabiting while ML was secretly in love with FL.

For the characterization I like Wang Chanpeng calmness attitude in ML and Zhai Xingran way of making FL character is strong but have inner trauma is the best. Like the scene when ML lend his shoulder when FL want to cry. The chemistry amount between Zhai Xingran and Wang Chanpeng is perfect even their intimate scene was not hot compare to other version.
SML and SFL is annoying but main leads are quite mature to face them without any unnecessary miscommunication.

ML and FL announce their real relationship to their office partner and i like how this drama embrace every office partner reaction especially the Boss.

Recommended to watch if you like mature (mentality) Wen Ni-Jian Yu Chen version.

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Underwhelming Wen Ni-Jian Yu Chen version

I like the premises of Wen Ni-Jian Yu Chen plot about office partner who looked like mortal enemies while the truth they are secetly married due FL past, FL treat the marriage as cohabiting while ML was secretly in love with FL.

For the characterization I like Li Shengjie mischievous persona in ML he quite solve his problem in carefree way. Romance in this is like playground for someone who prefer challenge., the chemistry is okay too watch.

My letdown without comparing to other version is FL characterization are not too strong since FL in this story was quite strong on mind. SML is quite too irritating in this drama, he is quite forceful glad FL is not swayed even though ML was holding himself to not punch him. SFLis nutcase and i like how FL is not blinded by jealousy.

I feel they can make more powerful scene when ML and FL announce their real relationship to their office partner. They lost the highlight moment.

Recommended to watch if you want to see Playful Li Shengjie.

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Definitely watchable, imho!!

Fox spirit matchmaker has been kept on my watchlist for a long time, and finally I gave it a try.
I am glad that I came back to watch this series.
Despite some loopholes, some flaws and few boring scenes which may not click well, the drama is definitely a MUST WATCH one, given its unique plot and the way the series is woven around the concept of "Love wins over hatred"!!
Unlike other Xianxia dramas, where the the first half proceeds with the hidden identities of the protagonists while the latter half deals with unraveling their past life secrets and powers, this drama is all about the Tushan clan of Fox spirits and the Grief tree and various love stories.
Both the protagonists and antagonist are introduced to us in the beginning itself.
The story mingles love of various couples with mysteries waiting to be unlocked, sacrifices made to deal with the villains and the various emotions of all the characters involved.
The acting, music, special effects, screenplay, plot, costumes, everything were good, imo. 👍
Though I cannot say this is the best xianxia drama, but definitely it can be given a try, atleast, for its story.
On a final note, A GOOD WATCH👌

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First love, loss & closure: a story with emotional poignancy at the start that languished at the end

I really liked this drama until episode 22, when it became boring and slow.

For me, the best, most memorable part of SOM is LWM. I don’t think I would be as emotionally invested in the story if another actor played ZX, he really did a phenomenal job with his portrayal of ZX, with a lot of angst, inner turmoil, and suppressed emotion. I would like to see a drama spin-off or read a novel with ZX as protagonist.

ZJM as NXG was good too. I like her acting but the chemistry between her & SWL was not there all the time, and a lot of their romantic scenes were awkward. It might be because these didn’t flow very well with the rest of the story. I was also not convinced with SWL's acting, thought his expressions were too bland/wooden in many scenes after they got together. Although I appreciated a lot of the script & dialogue, the pacing of the story after ep 22 became uneven (too much on the business side, too much attention on NXG’s father’s mistress & comeuppance, etc.), which made the MC’s romantic moments feel unnatural and forced.

Overall, I liked the growth/development arcs of NXG & ZX, family dynamics of the MC, and the friendships with Yin Jie, Chris & Dr. Fang. Also enjoyed seeing the different sceneries in China (Changbai ski resort & desert in Dunhuang), and appreciated seeing how business was conducted, and even learning about solar panels & integrating green design into buildings (although this could have been shortened!). But as a romantic drama? I didn’t really feel it at the end.

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This Drama Does Not Take Itself Seriously - So Have Fun

Ahhhhhh Liu Yu Ning. How do I love thee. Let me count the ways.

A Dream Within a Dream is not the end all be all of dramas. It is not the most intense or compelling of dramas. What I believe is it is one of the most well casted of the c-dramas I’ve seen. Every character is fun in their own way and each actor was superb in developing their character.

Of course, I liked Liu Yu Ning’s Nan Heng/Li Shi Liu the very best.

Not sure where to begin……the story.

Story:
Song Xiao Yu is a lazy actress who is cast as the lead in a ridiculous palace drama. Too much studying of the script sends her straight into that world as Song Yi Meng, the female lead character. She spends the better part of the first half of the 40 episodes trying not to marry Nan Heng who in the script will end up causing her much torture and a violent death.

A silly premise which opens up the story to be……..funny.

I like funny.

My rating is high because this show is not serious from the beginning. For a not-serious drama, A Dream Within A Dream is pretty well done.

Characters:
It is the characters that bring this passable story to life.

Li Yi Tong does a fantastic job of bringing the comedy to life as Song Yi Meng. Riley Wang’s Shangguan He plus all the Fading River Moon people were so lightheartedly fun. Lu Xing played Song Yi Meng’s father (Song Yu De) and was such a smartly written character and he played it soooooo well. All the Song women were so FUN and very well written. Lastly, Chang Long really provided the sweetness every c-drama needs playing the wonderful 18th Prince Nan Rui.

The two male leads: Nan Heng (Liu Yu Ning) and Chu Gui Hong (Wang You Shuo) were basically the straight-faced serious characters while everyone else got to have fun. The emperor was a serious character, at least until the end and I hated him until about episode 30ish.

Some pointed out there was no growth for the female lead, Song Yi Meng. I’ll be honest, I hated her guts until about episode 20 when I realized I was looking at her all wrong. She was the bad guy. In fact, throughout the show, the bad guy shifts. If we consider she was the bad guy along with the emperor until episode 30, it really makes more sense.

You must watch it to see who plays the bad guy to the bitter end……such a great performance.

Each actor did their job well. The only annoying character to me was Fu Gui but I realized towards the end that he was cleverly written as he ended up growing the most out of all the characters.

Music:
The soundtrack was amazing and the added music using classical arrangements were EVEN BETTER! I wish I could purchase those along with the soundtrack. I will be buying Liu Yu Ning's 2 songs as he was just PERFECT with that delicious voice.
He does sing on a lot of soundtracks for c-dramas…….so dreamy.

Rewatch Value:
I would rewatch this in a heartbeat although this was my first Liu Yu Ning C-drama so I’ve already started Prisoner of Beauty. Maybe later.

Overall:
A Dream Within A Dream is a very fun show. Don’t watch it for literary perfection. Watch this drama to have a good time or just to star-gaze at the lovely Liu Yu Ning. There is a reason why he was in so many hit dramas in 2025. He is one talented man.

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I have the artistic sensibility of a raw potato…

and yet I still enjoyed the drama a lot. I can only imagine how much of a cinematic experience it would be for someone who deeply feels the arts and experiences it on a more spiritual level.

Jokes on me because I neither like the music style presented in the drama, nor this tortured obsessed artist persona Naoki had, and yet I loved every song here and even if I would avoid someone like Naoki in real life, I appreciated him a lot as a character. That’s this title's charm - it makes you feel emotionally involved and connected, even if usually you are more of a pop-girlie.

The music was the forefront of the show, the characters' motivations, the center of some of their existence. Can I relate? Hell no. Personally I find the ultimate obsession over your passion quite sad, hence it was at times painful to watch Naoki so deeply affected and connected to music. There was a level of selfishness under his love for music that I could not stomach. But that’s also what made him an interesting character and it gave me the ultimate question I had while watching Glass Heart - will he touch the grass or nah?

Personally I for sure gravitate towards more mundane and “normal” characters. While eccentric personas can be entertaining, it can also easily become exhausting. Luckily Glass Heart understood potential dangers that come with centering the show around “pure genius” and softened the dynamics with all the people surrounding Naoki.

Akane was not a ray of sunshine, she was the sun flare that demanded ultimate attention with her positive energy and determination that grounded Naoki and helped him get out of the artistic daze and focus. I loved this girl with all my heart and she was easily my favorite character.

Side note, but why was this girl so shippable? I shipped her with 4 different people and all of these seem legit and reasonable choices.

While Akane felt like the force that kept them going, Takaoka Sho was more of a pillar that made them stable during their journey. There is no denying he understood Naoki the best and had the patience of a saint. For all the bromance fans - this pairing will not disappoint you.

And then we have Kazushi who determined the structure and was the silent supporter willing to sacrifice his own goals and desires for people whom he cared about. As a soft potato myself I appreciated him a lot. He led me into the ghost ship that was destined to crush like titanic and I’m not even mad about it.

I have to mention Toya, because I need someone to explain to me why I even liked this rude ass? That styling was also a lot to take, and I did not even recognize Suda Masaki in episode one. Is this man for real? His ability to completely transform into various characters is honestly magical.

As much as I want to focus on the positive and uplifting aspects of the show like - chasing your dreams, found family trope, passion for music, caring for people around you, there was also some underlying sadness in it that drew me more.

The idea that your brilliance might be the downfall for people around you - whenever intentional or not. How deep insecurity and comparing yourself to others can kill whatever talent you have. How co-dependency in any form kills creativity and cages you with the thoughts of self-doubt. The hyperfocus on your passion that you are unable to see other aspects of life worth living for. The obsession is so deep you cannot even take a break - you rather risk dying with it, than live without it.

I truly appreciate how I was able to see the more dark and sad aspect of creative endeavors and how deep sensibility can create beauty while slowly ruining the creator himself. At the same time it highlights the importance of a support system and how slowing down, but being surrounded by like-minded people can be more rewarding than sprinting to your goal all alone.

Production wise this is beyond the typical high quality Netflix gives - here it felt far more intentional. It wasn’t pretty and flashy without restraints. They knew exactly what moments should be highlighted, what directing choices will make the viewers focus on the important aspects of the storytelling, characters dynamics and developments. And what’s most important - they knew how to use visuals to enhance the music. Also all, and I truly mean all producers and directors need to sit down and take notes on how to open a drama, because that drumming in the rain scene was a cinematic experience that perfectly set the tone for the whole show.

At the same time there were some choices I slightly questioned. All the guys saving Akane from trouble Boys Over Flower style. Or when Yukino started to sing at random moments - we get it, singing is your life, but you can in fact use spoken words to communicate too.

Now the music - slays. I love how much focus we had on drums here. Whenever the camera focused on Akane playing I wanted to jump from my seat - the excitement she experienced playing was perfectly translated to screen and infectious. It’s surprising how many dramas that focus on bands and music do not actually have good music in it. TENBLANK is basically a real band with real high quality music and I can 100% believe their songs would top charts.

I have zero notes on acting, because I feel like I’m not in the position to judge the perfection I witnessed. Name me one bad performance. You can’t.

Overall, this was an experience I did not fully relate to on a logical level, but connected on an emotional one.

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So many mixed feelings..

Finishing this drama felt like an accomplishment for me 🤣 i gritted my teeth for the most part of this show.. I always love a show with Neo in it.. and they added Wang Duo an added bonus.. and there were other guest actors that i also love watching.. but even with all that incentive i had to fast forward alot of eps especially around ep30 on. And im usually against fast forwarding cuz whats the point of it right?!.. But the story just got so messy for me.. the back and forth travel through time and so much filler eps.. it lost it's grip on my attention and the story went all over the place around eps 20ish.. and it kept going down.. I believe this show couldve been done in 30 eps or less. If you want to know how the acting was.. all the actors/characters did well in acting.. they did their best. Its the directing and story telling that was the downfall in my opinion. This couldve been better if the directors and writers thought about a better execution of this story. Now would i recommend it? As always i tell people sure cuz you might like it. But would i rewatch it? No. The story isnt enough for me to rewatch and keep me coming back for more. Once was enough to say i watched it 💜

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“Beautiful, but it didn’t fully click for me”

I can see why a lot of people love it but for me it landed somewhere in the middle.

The biggest strengths are the acting, the visuals and the overall nostalgic vibe. The early episodes especially were quite touching and I appreciated the focus on family, quiet love and everyday struggles. You can really feel the effort that went into the production from the soundtrack to the detailed sets.

The drama started to lose me as it went on. The pacing felt uneven, the timeline jumps were sometimes confusing and the story didn’t always feel focused. While the themes were meaningful the execution didn’t fully work for me especially in the second half which felt longer and less engaging than it needed to be.

Overall, it’s not a bad drama but just not one that fully clicked for me. I can see it resonating more with viewers who enjoy slow, reflective, slice of life stories but if you’re expecting something more tightly structured it might feel a bit underwhelming.

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Great Ending to 2025

I have nothing negative to say about this drama. The lead characters were cast perfectly, and their acting skills and chemistry are outstanding. The supporting cast is phenomenal as well, delivering everything from slick one-liners to perfectly timed facial expressions.

I especially love the eunuch—he’s sweet and speaks his mind, often under his breath. As for the villain? Absolutely. He’s genuinely evil.

This drama made me frown in anger, laugh often, cry, and smile. There’s truly nothing not to like. I even downloaded a couple of songs from the OST. It’s easily one of the best K-dramas of 2025.

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A warm, complete romance that stays with you

I still haven’t fully moved on from Shine On Me, and honestly, I don’t want to. Starting the new year with this drama genuinely felt special. From the casting to the emotional pacing, this was one of those rare modern C-dramas that felt complete, comforting, and deeply satisfying.

First of all, the casting was perfect. Shine On Me would not have worked the same way without Zhao Jinmai as Nie Xiguang and Song Weilong as Lin Yusen. Before airing, some people doubted their chemistry — but they proved everyone wrong. Their chemistry wasn’t loud or flashy; it was natural, quiet, and deeply believable. The kind that makes you smile without realizing it.

Zhao Jinmai was perfect as NXG. She felt incredibly real — naturally cute without being childish, gentle yet firm when it mattered. Song Weilong surprised me in the best way. As Lin Yusen, he wasn’t just handsome (though yes, the glasses deserve their own credit), but emotionally present. He played a man who listens, comforts, and supports without trying to “fix” everything — and that made him stand out so much.

What really made this drama special for me was how healthy the main relationship was. There was no unnecessary breakup, no last-minute character assassination, no dragged misunderstandings. Their relationship progressed slowly, but meaningfully. Even before they officially “dated,” it already felt like they were together — just without the label. Small details said everything: NXG subtly shaking her hands when she wants him to hold them, and LYS immediately responding every time. That kind of consistency is rare and precious in dramas.

The Changbei arc was easily my favorite. It was warm, peaceful, and visually beautiful — a break from stress, full of family interactions, snow, and emotional closeness. It made the romance feel lived-in rather than performative. Watching them with their families made their bond feel real and grounded.

The symbolism throughout the drama was also handled beautifully. One of the most meaningful moments was the red beans — a quiet but powerful gesture that represented commitment, love, and choosing each other completely. That scene alone said more than a hundred verbal confessions could have.

Yes, the kisses sparked a lot of discussion. Were some short? Sure. Was the camerawork sometimes frustrating? Definitely. But what mattered more was that the chemistry was already established long before the kisses happened. I’d rather have restrained kisses backed by strong emotional buildup than empty “passionate” scenes with no foundation. And by the later episodes, we were definitely fed.

Another thing I appreciated was how character arcs were completed. Even characters I disliked (and there were many) were handled in a way that felt intentional. Karma came quietly, not dramatically — which actually made it more realistic. NXG’s father, Zhuang Xu, the mistress, the workplace antagonists — all of them reflected different forms of emotional immaturity, and the drama never rewarded that behavior.

The ending was exactly what I wanted: calm, warm, and conclusive. No open wounds. No lingering bitterness. Just the feeling that these characters would continue living their lives happily beyond the screen. Watching the sun set in the final moments felt symbolic — Shine On Me didn’t end loudly, it ended gently.

Overall, this drama reminded me why I love C-dramas. The plot was cohesive, the characters were emotionally consistent, and the ending respected both the story and the audience. It wasn’t perfect, but it was whole — and that’s rare.

I had such a positive watching experience, and I’m genuinely grateful for it.

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I'm OBSESSED

I think I'm OBSESSED.
I just love it. Not necessarily the story, but the vibe: artistic, like a dream. The way it's filmed, the music (one of the few times I can actually give a rating to the music - very well chosen per scene), the characters.
The characters have flaws, flaws that make them interesting, appealing, desirable. They attract the audience, but also give that feeling of rejection. I love the way Koh and Jira are attracted and repelled by each other. How art, need, desire bring them together, and then each other's flaws drive them apart.
I'm only on episode 4, but I think it's going to be one of THOSE series. I will keep coming back to it.
I'm glad I waited until at least 6 episodes were released. I think one episode a week ruins all the magic.

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Unexpectedly Hooked from the Start!!!!

I accidentally stumbled across this while watching Instagram videos. Familiar with the FL after watching 3 of her past c-dramas, I instantly looked up Shine On Me. I never thought I would be so hooked from the very beginning!

This drama had the mixture of The Best Thing's lead chemistry with the slow-burn romance of Amidst A Snowstorm of Love. Sometimes the softest stories stay with you the longest. 🥰 It has that quiet, comforting charm that slowly wraps around you without trying too hard. The pacing is gentle, the emotions feel sincere, and there’s this soft, slice-of-life warmth that makes you want to keep watching just a little longer. I’m genuinely so glad I stumbled across this one because it feels like one of those dramas that grows on you episode by episode and then suddenly has your whole heart.

The early episodes center on Nie Xi Guang, still in college, navigating her first real crush on Zhuang Xu. And honestly? This part of the drama feels painfully relatable. Xi Guang’s feelings are sincere, hopeful, and a little naïve...the kind of crush where you overthink every interaction and still convince yourself there’s a chance.

But what makes this arc hit harder is the emotional mess surrounding it. Misunderstandings pile up, jealousy creeps in, and the roommate dynamic, especially involving Ye Rong, adds layers of quiet cruelty that feel all too real. Xi Guang isn’t heartbroken because of one big betrayal, but because of many small, cutting moments where she’s misunderstood, underestimated, and made to feel “less than.”

Zhuang Xu is not a villain, but he’s emotionally rigid, bound by obligation, pride, and unspoken rules. His help always comes with distance. His care is careful, measured, and ultimately painful for someone who loves openly like Xi Guang. Their relationship becomes a lesson in unrequited effort, how love without mutual timing can still leave deep marks.

By the time graduation arrives, there’s a quiet sense of closure. Not dramatic, not explosive, just two people standing in the same place, unable to move forward together.

One of the drama’s strongest points is how it handles transition. Xi Guang doesn’t magically “get over” her feelings overnight. Instead, she travels, breathes, wanders, and slowly learns that not everything you want is meant to stay. The UK trip with her cousin Jiang Rui feels symbolic; moving forward, learning to walk without emotional baggage, discovering that life has many “views,” not just one.

This phase is about grief that doesn’t look dramatic. It’s about acceptance. And it’s beautifully done.

When Xi Guang starts working at Shuangyuan Photovoltaic, the tone shifts, but in a good way. She’s no longer defined by who she likes or who hurt her. She’s awkward, earnest, hardworking, and quietly determined to build a life on her own terms.

Enter Lin Yu Sen.

Unlike Zhuang Xu, Lin Yu Sen carries emotional weight from the start. Once a brilliant neurosurgeon, his life was rerouted by a car accident that took away his ability to operate. He’s calm, introspective, and deeply principled, but there’s a quiet grief behind his eyes. He understands loss. He understands starting over.

What makes their dynamic so satisfying is that Lin Yu Sen never diminishes Xi Guang. He challenges her, yes, but he also sees her effort, respects her choices, and allows her to grow without judgment. Their relationship is built on mutual understanding, patience, and emotional safety.

The romance here is a slow burn in the truest sense. No rush. No forcing fate. Just two people learning how to trust again.

Shine On Me isn’t loud. It doesn’t demand attention. But it lingers. It’s the kind of drama that feels better the more you think about it...the glances, the pauses, the things left unsaid.

By the end, you don’t just root for the couple, you root for the people they’ve become.

And honestly? That’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after the final episode fades out.

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