Reviews

This drama supposed to highlight FL more

I watched this last year since i want to watch He Jianqi in ancient drama.

It's a quick transmigration story. FL dies as an empress at the beginning, and then transmigrates into various forms, including a princess, a eunuch, and an empress dowager. She starts by wanting to escape but gradually becomes aware of the ML feelings for her and ultimately thwarts the villain's plot. The story itself is terrible, and the character development is also quite poor. The chemistry is barely non-exist between He Jianqi and Ma Xinyu.

The highlight in this drama is He Jianqi feel like his acting is very natural, especially his rebellious and unruly character, which is just right. Actually this drama should highlight F character since she change in many forms but i feel Ma Xinyu still failed to grap the difference of character charm.

Only recommended to solo fans.

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Only for Binzhu

The main leads’ performances were solid. HMH, as usual, never disappoints, his acting has always been reliable, and nailed his character perfectly. TSY is a great actress too, I loved her in FOY. However, in this series, their chemistry just wasn’t chemistry-ing for me, especially when compared to HMH and GLNZ in Glory.

Both actors did well, but the storyline was honestly one of the worst I've seen. I know many people may disagree, but I couldn’t get past ep 2 without heavy skipping, rolling my eyes and brain damage. There was no way I could sit through the entire series properly. XY’s character was incredibly immature, not the most likeable FL to begin with, but beyond that, she was just plain childish. I genuinely don’t understand where the strong female lead narrative came from.

And why did HY have to sacrifice himself after going through so much? That decision made zero sense. Killing off the supporting characters didn’t help either as they haven't get the chance to rewrite their story. The ending was utter nonsense. If the storyline had been well written and HY sacrificed himself for the greater good, maybe could have accepted it. But when the entire series was already weak, that sacrifice felt completely undeserved and frustrating.

The only thing that kept me coming back at all was BZ and PP. Without them, I would rate this drama 1/10...

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One of the best dramas i've watched!

just finished this drama, and it absolutely deserves the hype!!

I usually stick to historical dramas because modern ones often feel repetitive to me. But this drama honestly changed my perspective a bit; it felt refreshing and gave me things I’ve been wanting to see in a modern story. One of my favorite aspects was how the conflicts were handled. Problems didn’t drag on forever, Yusen & Xi Guang actually communicated, which made everything feel more realistic and mature between them. We get to see how both characters, Xi Guang and Yusen; learn from each other about love and understanding, honesty between them even.

The romance between Xi Guang and Yusen is a slow burn, but in the best way. Their relationship develops gradually, and you really see the emotional journey behind falling for someone new. It shows how hard it can be to move forward, especially when past feelings still exist. Yusen’s patience and sincerity really stand out, and watching Xi Guang learn that she deserves to be loved and cherished was one of the most touching parts of the drama. He is one of the greenest flags possible, I loved how patient and sweet he was to her. He is definitely better than Zhuang Xu, it's great that Xi Guang gave him a chance to test the waters between them; imo it was the best decision she had ever made in there !!

As for the emotional side involving Zhuang Xu, I have mixed feelings. His character had depth, but a lot of situations could have been handled better on his end. Misunderstandings and unspoken feelings played a big role, and while that added emotional tension, it was also a bit frustrating to watch at times. I just wish he spoke on his feelings more WITHOUT lashing out at her for once. Although he claims he didn't have many opportunities tell her about his feelings; IMO he definitely did have many chances to; he just chose not to do it until later on when she chose to move on properly. I also feel like he should've made it clear that Rong wasn't a thing to him romantically. Also one thing Zhuang Xu should've done is moved on after the wedding incident, when she made it clear she doesn't have feelings for him anymore. He had 2 suitors, yet he chose to follow what already left him furthering to make him have a bad ending for himself. --> Also Zhuang Xu's colleagues imo shouldn't have told him about what they overheard. Sometimes it's not your business to tell + it made Zhuang Xu think it's okay to act up and pretend he didn't have chances before --> making him want to pursue Xi Guang.

Xi Guang as a character is very relatable ; She is not perfect, sometimes avoidant to her issues, and driven by her emotions. Her character shows us the complex emotions that many face with first loves. That made her realistic, but there were moments where better communication might have changed a lot for Zhuang Xu and her. Still, her internal struggles and growth were an important part of the story. I kinda wish she wasn't super avoidant to her problems and faced Zhuang Xu properly. She should've told him not to have further ideas of chasing her. Plus she should've been a bit more honest to him that she wouldn't be around + although she didn't completely move on, she is still testing the waters between her and Yusen. Though, she doesn't owe Zhuang Xu a explanation; I feel like it would've been better if she spoke to him honestly because it only made Zhuang Xu even more obsessed with the idea of thinking it's okay to chase her now because she lied previously.

My favorite character has to be Xi Guang’s cousin, Jiang Rui! He brought so much warmth and humor to the drama. Even though he didn’t have a huge amount of screen time, he was always supportive and protective in the sweetest way. I really wish we got more scenes with him he added such a fun and comforting energy whenever he appeared. (One scene I loved was the snowboarding race :D )

Overall, this drama balances romance, emotional growth, and character relationships really well. It’s heartfelt, mature, and doesn’t rely on unnecessary drama just to keep things going. Definitely one of the more refreshing modern dramas I’ve watched.

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"Being your beloved one is like pulling chestnuts from a fire. It's a dangerous task indeed."

The first half was easily the strongest. Once the marriage contest began, the show became pure entertainment. Watching the scheming and foolish candidates compete for Rong Shanbao was great fun, as were the clever plans of the Rong sisters.

I also loved the gender role reversal, with the cold, dominant Rong Shanbao and the devoted, clever, amnesiac Lu Jianglai. The romance worked well as a subplot.

Most characters were not very likable, but the story in the first half was engaging enough that it didn't matter.

Rong Shanbao is a really cool, capable, and strong female lead, though.
The story is clearly centered on her, and I have no issue with that. I loved all the girl power!
However, she often felt a bit too flawless to me. She seemed to have everything under control all the time, which could become boring.

I definitely liked Lu Jianglai better in his role as the amnesiac servant than as a magistrate. (Why does that sound kind of mean?) I have to say his character was rather uninteresting to me.

The only one who earned a soft spot in my heart was the cute, frail scholar Bai Yingsheng.

Slightly before episode 20, when Lu Jianglai fully returned to his role as a magistrate, the story lost momentum for me. While there were still a few twists that kept me watching, my interest steadily dropped.
I liked the growing bond between the Rong sisters, but Yunshu’s arc felt inconsistent. Her unhinged behavior was exciting, yet it was unsettling that she faced so few consequences. I would have preferred them to lean into her madness even more.

The final arc began during episode 30. And well... the sudden setting change, the introduction of a new toxic family, and the abuse and murder storyline... it felt disconnected and unnecessary, in my opinion. And this kind of last minute hidden noble identity reveal for Lu Jianglai felt especially pointless.

But now, away from the plot and the characters and on to the cinematography and costumes. All of that was truly wonderful!
The color palette, the clothing design, and the interior sets were incredibly pleasing to look at. I would really like to visit that tea farm.

Final thoughts:
Glory offers an engaging and visually stunning first half fueled by marriage games and girl power, but struggles to maintain that momentum as the story progresses. It was still an enjoyable watch in parts and a costume drama I don't regret trying.

[finished watching on 22 January 2026]

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Mediocre at best.

I just watched the first episode of the supposedly Filipino BL series "Hello Stranger." It was corny, and it felt like a show made for those who have poor taste. No wonder hardly any foreigners watch Philippine shows.

Also, I couldn't believe the male protagonist would fall in love with the male basketball varsity player. The player had no basic decency when he accidentally joined a wrong Zoom link.

If I was the protagonist, I would have berated that player like calling him a low-class, validation-hungry peon who thinks unhealthy activities like drinking are "cool" just because others are doing it, and would cheer him on.

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ULTIMATE BIAS BECOMES ULTIMATE DEFENDANT

The drama successfully blends the high stakes of a murder mystery with the often chaotic world of K-pop fandom. By placing a 'fangirl' in a position of power as a defense attorney, it subverts the typical idol-fan dynamic. The story centers around Maeng Se-na, a cold-blooded 'villain lawyer' who conceals a ten-year obsession with the group Gold Boys. Her world is turned upside down when her 'ultimate bias,' Do Ra-ik, is framed for the murder of a fellow bandmate. The tension arises not only from the trial but also from Se-na's struggle to maintain professional boundaries while her 'fan heart' is in turmoil.

Unlike many fan-themed dramas, such as "Her Private Life," "Idol I" handles the fandom aspect with surprising maturity. Se-na is an 'ethical fan' who wants justice for Ra-ik—not just because she likes him, but because she values the truth. Coming off her performance in "The Judge from Hell," Jae-young delivers a standout portrayal, perfectly capturing Ra-ik's duality: the polished, 'visual center' idol on stage versus the isolated, cynical, and vulnerable man facing a life sentence. Additionally, the cohabitation trope—necessary for his protection—feels earned rather than forced. Their chemistry is built on a slow-burning intellectual respect, which makes the romantic payoffs in the final episodes much more satisfying.

However, like many K-dramas, the legal procedures are occasionally 'creative.' If you are a fan of hardboiled legal thrillers, you might find some evidence-gathering scenes a bit too convenient or dramatic. While the finale provides a 'neatly wrapped' happy ending, the transition from Ra-ik's trial to their 'organic' romantic reunion feels slightly rushed in the final hour.

In conclusion, "Idol I" succeeds because it portrays idols as human beings and fans as capable professionals. It's less of a fairytale and more of a reckoning with how we perceive celebrities.

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The best Chinese film I have ever seen

This drama is truly excellent and captivating, vividly portraying the tug-of-war between the actress and the young commander. Each episode packed with exciting moments, each element seamlessly connected to the next. The pacing was fast, making it incredibly enjoyable to watch!

What I like:
- The actors: The male and female leads are both good-looking and have excellent acting skills. Both actors were perfectly cast! Very immersive! I’m hooked on the chemistry between them. In general, the characters were all well-developed and nuanced. After the film, I have become a big fan of them.
- The overall script planning: The plot flows logically and tightly, the emotional development is not only delicate and well-paced but also just right. I appreciate the details, and some of the cinematography was spot-on. At the same time, the visual editing is very beautiful and is a pleasure for the viewer's eyes!
- OST: I really like the OST at the end of film. It’s very poignant and a little bit heartbreaking.

What I feel regret most:
- The ending was quite rush. I want to see a happy family with the children. I still remember when Xing Zhou had a craving for drug, An Ning said "When you get better, we will have children again”. That was one of the motivation for him to strive for his addiction, wasn't it?. Therefore, it would have been more wonderful if the film had ended with the turning up of a baby.
- The film is just a short film. If only it were a long film, so I could look at those characters longer.

(On the whole, This is the only film which I’ve seen over and over again without getting bored. I can even remember each detail belongs to which episode)

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Iconic chemistry between LYX and HMH

The chemistry between LYX and HMH is absolutely insane, beautiful, intense, and unforgettable. I love them so much that even now, I still can’t get over it. I need them to pair up again. This isn’t my first HMH drama, I started with FOF, and while his character there was insanely handsome, somehow his aura and visuals are even better here. I don’t know what it is, but LYX has this power to elevate her male leads’ presence. I didn’t feel the same chemistry when watching Glory or TUS.

Both of them absolutely nailed their characters. Their emotions, actions, and inner conflicts were portrayed perfectly, and their crying scenes were especially heartbreaking and sincere. Their scheming personalities matched each other so well. Honestly, the reason I’m giving this drama a 10/10 overall is because of them.

That said, the storyline itself was frustrating. It started off strong, with both leads using each other to achieve their goals, which was interesting. But the constant deception and second lead became exhausting. MY had so many chances to open her heart and tell JBZ that she was actually MX and needed the antidote. I’m sure JBZ would’ve given it to her willingly. However, that’s not the real reason I rated the storyline 7/10. I can still understand MY’s hesitation, she knew JBZ would help her, but she didn’t want him to go against his master’s orders. She didn’t want him to become someone who betrays his master, and from her POV, that makes sense.

The truly frustrating part was SL. He was annoying, obsessive, and honestly unbearable. I wanted to drop the drama so many times, but I stayed purely for LYX and HMH. The number of times I wanted to punch him through the screen is uncountable. This story did not need a third wheel. I genuinely don’t understand why his character existed. His transition from a “lost puppy” to someone evil felt unnecessary and poorly justified. I don’t see a valid reason for him turning evil, was it possessiveness? Obsession? I don’t even know what the screenwriter was trying to do here.

We don’t need a third wheel to amplify the main leads’ relationship. He couldn’t even see FY right in front of him. The number of times I wanted to scream at him to look at FY, poor girl. I couldn’t empathise with him at all. I’ve seen many comments defending SL, but honestly… no. Yes, MY saved him when he was young and became his light but is that love? He grew up believing MX was a guy, and then suddenly he sees MY again and thinks, oh my god, I love her! That was just weird. What he felt wasn’t love, it was gratitude mixed with obsession. He wanted to repay her and believed that saving her would make her look at him. That’s not how love works. And even if that logic did work, then isn’t FY doing the same thing?

That said, YCE did portray SL very well, it’s just a shame the character itself was so badly written.

On a lighter note, the princess and YX storyline was adorable. I love them so much. The princess’s growth was genuinely touching. If the drama had focused less on SL’s obsession and more on the princess’s journey, it would have been so much better.

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vincenzo is not peak

the jokes were so unnecessary.
the end episode was so good and brutal until they just went back to the usual cringe and were like "yk this dude? the only death that made u kinda feel smthn? yeah he's alive cuz we're too scared to kill off a character someone might actually like"

it feels like they just forgot what the plot was throughout it. like in the first episode it's shown like "3 months later" and the building is exploding but they just never touch up on that?? and there are so many inconsistencies and the writing is just ass

absolutely loved the episode where they just made fun of a stereotypical "gay" character for absolutely no reason and kept running with that joke cuz haha he's gay so he's immediately gonna fall for vincenzo and be obsessed with him and be annoying and clingy cuz that's how gay ppl act righttt???!!! haha
also, 20 episodes for a kiss? bffr..

this show wanted to be edgy so badly but just couldn't commit to it.
try harder.

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Fame is when ordinary becomes luxury. It comes with consequences...

This is a story of a fan and her idol proving his innocence. Sounds simple, but not easy to prove as the murder happened in the idol's house. There starts the push and pull game of faith, fate and resilience. 

As a kpop fan myself, it was hard to watch. Idols and fans are inseparable items. Both of them exist for and because of each other. But if one of them crosses the line, everything falls down. It made me wonder how my favourite idols go through their lives. Do they face these types of problems, backlash, humiliation, and negative thoughts every day? I bet they do. In spite of that, they put on a happy mask in front of us. Idol life isn't easy.

Call me weird, strange or crazy, but I liked Laik's vulnerable side, especially when he cried. 
Unlike everyone, Laik expressed his deepest emotions and feelings very clearly. Maybe because he was portrayed as a psychologically struggling person, he was aware of his mental struggles and never shied away from articulating them in words. His crying face is painful for me as I found myself moved by them. He looked pretty and pitiful and at the same time. 

He was thinking that he'd be protecting others, but he was the one who needed to be saved. Initially, we saw him behaving rudely to staff and band members, but we didn't know why he was acting that way. Idol's life isn't easy, his every move is constantly scrutinised and judged by people without any explanation, even if it wasn't their fault. How unfair is that? 

This drama isn't perfect, it has its flaws, but one thing I know, I loved it for what it is. It wasn't a romcom, murder mystery or a full-fledged law drama, but the mix of everything that held its essence till the end. It keeps you guessing and suspecting possible murderers before the police. I loved how it wasn't romance focused because it wasn't. It was a journey of Laik proving his innocence, finding and loving himself once again. Without Maeng Sena it wasn't possible. She was the trust he needed to peddle himself back to his own identity as a person, Laik. Also, I loved how the romance wasn't forced, it was naturally flowy and slow but powerful. If you think it isn't romance-focused, the mystery ends in Ep. 11, and you get a whole episode of them being lovey-dovey. They made up the audience's hope for every single missed opportunity for romance. It was more than enough for me. 

Acting was great! Personally I'm a fan of Choi Soo Young, also the reason I started this drama. But oh boy, got bamboozled by Kim Jae Young's superb acting and his handsome face. I could stare at his face for HOURS!!! Side characters, especially the ex-gf, bandmate's emotional acting was notable. The OSTs were nice, did created a whole idol vibe but nothing really stand out for me.

Overall, a worthy, entertaining drama if you are interested in watching something not very romance-focused.

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First cdrama of 2026, sets high standard

Love, love, love this drama!

Great casting. I especially like the FL. I think she carries the drama, though the ML is nothing to sneeze at. He does aloof male perfectly, not annoyingly.

I'm a bit sad about the FL's BF. She made the right choice and there's hope in her storyline...still, it's sad.

I like the ML's BF. He's funny.

ML's backstory...probably the most tear inducing.

There's redemption in the RL's arc, which is nice.

The one thing that annoyed me is how often the FL drops stuff when she's kissed. You can be kissed and still hold on to something in your hand. Really, it's possible.

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had potential but was lacking and boring

this was one of the worst dramas i watched and i am so disappointed. it wasn't the actors fault, it's 100% the storyline. it started off strong and interesting and it had a lot if potential that was sadly not met due a flat arc and irrelevant plotline. if you are looking for a rom com, this isn't it, if you're looking for a crima drama, this is also not it. it's a weird mix that doesn't tap into either genre strong enough to be interesting.

spoilers from here:
in one of the first scenes we already see his ex and that was already the moment me (and i believe a lot of others) thought she is the culprit. i only stepped away from that idea because i thought it would be too easy and waited for more to be revealed. all their nonsense romantic scenes were just random and i didn't care, i wanted to know the damn case not them taking a vacation 😒 there was not enough suspension around the case and way too much unnecessary romance. imo they also had no chemistry and it was quite uncomfortable to watch. i also didn't like raik's character but that's another topic.
i find there could've been great ways to tell the story, start with a trial where his ex is in hearing for murder (when we already know it's her anyways), then roll it backwards, make raik more suspicious, add actual conflict and make him seem guilty so sena and the viewer don't know could it be him after all. i found it super lame that he was just innocent the entire time and I didn't even doubt for a second that it was him. the end was also rushed, no trial... i felt robbed. sorry to say, i also found it particularly disappointing that the death was an accident, no one was actually evil here, all just broken, idk that made it even flatter...also the last episode was the worst, i just skipped through it. we never gotten to know what actually was her dad's story so i didn't care they retrial his case... if they talked about it in one of their many romancy talks, then sorry, i missed it, i skipped those.
also when they tried to figure out the password to that cloud, why didn't her tec guy friend help? maybe i missed that too, idk. that was just really random and dragging. it also didn't make sense to me that nobody asked about that earring before. was there no dna on that earring? did they check? that was seemingly so random that raik accidentally saw the earring and knew the culprit. bro could've easily saved us 9 episodes had they asked him about it earlier lmao.

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4 Just for the 2ML

Things I loved

1 The 2ML. Fortunately for us he went on to do some great dramas. he was a scene stealer and just like with the Korean version his character was much more sympathetic than the ML and I rarely say that if ever. He was the only good thing of the show.

Things I liked

1 The premise. I've already seen the Korean one so I knew what to expect and I like the premise so much I didn't care if it was a remake.

Things I disliked

1 The FL. I don't know what others see in this actress. I tried again and again to like her in some of her dramas and failed miserable. This was the less cringe although very cringe due to her character. This was the last one I try where she acts. It doesn't worth my time. The FL in the Korean version did a fabulous job and I wanted her to succeed so much. Here I didn't care.

Things I hated

1 The ML acting. He was wrong for the role and I agree with others that the 2ML should be the lead. What do cast directors think sometimes? Was it that complicated to see the actor was wrong for the role? Playing the cold, aloof CEO doesn't mean you play it without any expression. Awful.

2 The story about the friend and her crush. I hated that in the Korean version as well. Hated it.

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Cast is great, but the story doesn't make sense.

I found Bao and her family very annoying and hypocritical. The same things they criticize (and act righteous about) are what they do in their own family.

ml became totally useless in many episodes like we didn't see what he was capable off since the beginning, same time fl got more full of herself

There's redemption for the granddaughters but it's not extended to anybody else. One very stupid episode was Yun Shu plotting to kill Bai (he got stabbed) and drowned him. But if "cool" cause she gave him a pill after someone brought it out of the river.

Going to the Duke's mansion and acting righteous like her Evil Grandmother didn't do worse and her sisters haven't been doing that exactly.

And then you have the SIMPS who after being treated like dogs all come running back with their tongues out over and over just to have the same thing happen to them again.

And King SIMP himself Jiang, was a let down. They manufactured a Duke family ties just to make his biological family evil and he gives up everything to go back to being a dog in the Rong family.

I really do not like these "agenda"/"propaganda" shows with these kind of unnecessary plots

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I love a good revenge drama

It was great from start to end. I did not enjoy the bonus episode because i liked that they made him die at the end that was believable but apparently he got a stab wound to the stomach and they even twisted the knife in there and he also survived a huge fire explosion?? Okay... but other than that it was great. Besides the main male lead the emperor in disguise and his best male friend were great characters i really cared for them even though i started out hating the deposed emperor because he killed tha main leads friend. His character development was beautiful. And theres something about that actor,ive seen him in other things i like his facial expressions and his voice. And the other male friend is very handsome i loved watching him fight. I love wuxia dramas they are my favorite and even though i typically prefer romance dramas,the plot and the fight scenes and the acting held up without it (which is rare) i loved this show a lot and i might watch again in the future.

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