Reviews

Clunky ending

This drama featuring a quite heated BL friends-to-lovers relationship started surprisingly well but unfortunately did not hold up. I really enjoyed the start of the story that showcased a lot of pining and obsession, full of red flags moments as well as believable level of skinship, making sense in the context of the feelings build up and discovery.

However, the way the story wrapped up was quite disappointing. The last arc exposed numerous weaknesses in writing, with also failures from the production side in conveying the proper meaning of the ending dialogs. Forcing production crew to even issue an explanation after the episode release. The budget also felt quite limited and the acting a bit robotic and awkward (mostly on Seong In Ho side, Kim Do Min being much more natural).

I would recommend this to people that enjoy friends-to-lovers relationship. The angst was very good at first with the story setting properly stakes and with a shift in the relationship entertaining to follow. It is certainly not without flaws as I found the acting was a mixed bag (rather unbalanced between the leads) and the ending felt rushed and awkwardly articulated.

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My favorite drama of 2026

This drama is different from anything I have ever watched. The ML is a walking black flag. He is arrogant, domineering and hyper toxic. Some of his actions are inexcusable. He puts the FL through immense pain. And yet, we see glimpses of him not being a total terrible person. He is fair, he is protective of his family and friends, he is not corrupt despite his immense power and helps the FL countless times.

Because of this, I found myself rooting for him to change and become a better version of himself. That´s what drew me to the story: we are watching an imperfect character full of flaws and how he slowly realizes his actions are destructive and the effort he puts to change himself.

The story
This is the story of Yu Changxuan, a warlord from the powerful Yu family, and how he becomes obsessed with Ye Pingjun, a poor student. At first, his obsession is just playful, but then he descends into madness and enters red flag territory. Eventually, some traumatic events make him question his choices and prompts him to start changing.

I liked that his personality change was not instant, it took him a lot of work as he tends to go back to his toxic ways. It also helps that Cheng Lei gives an outstanding performance. I don´t think this story would have worked with any other actor.

What I liked
- The acting: Cheng Lei steals the show. This guy can act. Just a look at his eyes and you know what the character is thinking. Not many actors can convey so many emotions with just a stare. I found myself very immersed in the story thanks to his performance.
- The characters: I love morally gray characters. They are more realistic of how most people are in real life. They are also more interesting to watch and more unpredictable.
- The story: I was just entertained throughout the show, not a single boring episode.
- The music: I specially liked the background music that plays throughout the show, especially the violin score. It helps set the melancholic mood.
- The cinematography: incredible use of lightning, costumes, sets… it´s just a visual feast.
- The historical context: I didn´t know much about the Republican era and the Warlord era in China, and because of this show I did some research to learn more about this time. It also made me more invested in the political plot.

What I didn´t like
- The development of the FL: at the beginning, she is smart, outspoken and doesn´t get intimidated by those in power. I really liked her. Then, her character becomes inconsistent in the second half. She cannot judge situations fairly and jumps into conclusions quickly. Maybe it´s just how the character was written to reflect all the trauma she goes through.
- The length: I feel like they could have easily cut off 6 or 7 episodes. By the end they were just dragging the story by creating new conflicts that could have been easily resolved by the characters having a conversation. But very conveniently, that conversation never happens, leading to a misunderstanding that sets up a new chain of events.
- Some subplots: I didn´t really care about the revenge arc of the brother-in-law and his sister.

Conclusion
Overall, this is a 9.5/10 for me. I enjoyed watching this show a lot and I was binge watching several episodes a day due to how addictive it is. It has been on my mind since I finished it, which is proof of the incredible storytelling and the quality of this show.

Regarding the ending, to me it was expected given the historical context. It's also kinda implied in the title, so I am not mad. I find it very poetic that the story starts with Changxuan picking Pingjun's hairpin from the ground, and how, in his last moments, he tries to unsuccessfully reach out to the hairpin. Very sad and beautiful at the same time.

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A fun super hero movie : not revolutionary but well made

I had a good time watching this hero movie that features tropes that I enjoy : found family, power discovery and build up.

The gallery of colourful characters was well introduced and the dynamics within the group, easy to grasp and fun to follow. I also found the villain arc pretty good, even if kinda basic.

Will it revolution the genre ? Certainly not, the story felt very familiar to me, already explored under multiple entertainment media : series, webtoons, mangas,...But it is also proof that you don't need always to reinvent the wheel to have a satisfying watch.

The production was solid and I truly found the casting great. The humour could have been better balanced on some point and the angst and the darkness tuned up a bit more, but it is for sure more a matter of taste than anything else.

I would recommend this if you enjoy super hero movie. I surprised myself several times thinking that I wish that the recent Kdrama "Twelve" would have had a similar vibe !

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Sweet and Fluffy

I started this drama then came here to check reviews and thats when i realised its a remake of a popular k drama, from reading the comments and looking at rating i was confused between watching it and dropping it. But thank god i didn't, this was sweet and the leads have such chemistry, its not like push and pull type of chemistry but that they're just insanely comfortable with eachother and dont hide who they are. It is very refreshing, and the growth of characters is very realistic and how they all overcame their problems was heart touching.

I'd recommend watching this drama

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not a bad one

Honestly, You Maniac wasn't exactly the kind of story I usually enjoy. The storyline wasn't entirely my cup of tea, and although I didn't find it particularly special, I wouldn't say it was a bad series either. It had its own charm, and despite not being completely invested in the story, I managed to finish it. Sometimes a series doesn't have to become your absolute favourite to be an enjoyable watch, and I think that's exactly how I feel about this one.

One of the main reasons I started watching this series was Barcode. I was genuinely excited to see them, and honestly, they didn't disappoint me! I absolutely loved them. Their presence was one of the highlights of the series for me, and I enjoyed watching them so much. They were actually the biggest reason I decided to give this series a chance in the first place.

However, I also have to appreciate WilliamEst. Even though I initially started watching for Barcode, WilliamEst wasn't bad at all. They brought something enjoyable to the series, and I think they deserve appreciation too. I might not have started the series specifically for them, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy watching them. It's always nice when an unexpected part of a series manages to catch your attention.

As for the overall experience, I would say it was a pretty decent watch. The story might not have been my personal preference, and I didn't connect with it as much as I sometimes do with other BL series, but I still found enough reasons to keep watching until the end.

Not every BL series has to be a masterpiece, and not every storyline will match everyone's taste. Sometimes you simply watch a series, enjoy certain characters or couples, and finish it with a decent impression. That's perfectly fine, too!

Overall: You Maniac was a nice series. The storyline wasn't really my type, but I don't regret watching it. I started for Barcode, loved them throughout, and WilliamEst was a nice addition to the experience. Not my favourite series, but definitely not a bad one either!

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Unexpectedly that good!

A light romcom that focuses more on dreams, friendship, & family.

- I love the main cast & parent cast. They give soul to this show. The interaction among long time friends, between parents and children looks natural, flowy, and have good chemistry. My most fav is Cent's family (the bickering moments between Cent & his mom is funny, so natural) and Fuang's family (warm & funny).

- Enjoy the whole plot, from the very start to the very end: the dynamics of their pursuit of dreams (the ups&downs, how they connect & help each other with each skills), the dynamics of their friendship (conflicts, secrets, togetherness in happiness-sadness), the dynamics of the families (conflicts between parents- child, the heartwarming moments of them, etc). Includes the heartbreaking moments in the beginning & the end 😭 To me, the plot is relatable, down to earth, like everything in this show can happen to any of us.

- Chemistry of Cent & Fuang is sweet & funny! A cold & straightforward guy meet a kind, warm, & cheerful girl. Don't expect a dramatic relationship between them, though. Every moment between them is just a good one. The ending of their moment is also funny, like, Cent is being Cent.

- The ending is not that rushed, which is good. Not many lakorn can end properly, many of them rush the ending until we can see the happy end only for 5 or 10 minutes, lol.

- The comedy is perfect, not that much, but come in the right moment.

In the end, it's not just about the dreams and how we pursuit it. It's also about life that doesn't always go the way we want. So the only option is do what we can do first. Dream can wait.

*extra: Cent is the portrait of "beauty in simplicity". Love his simple outfit, simple hair style. He's simply handsome

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This could be interesting as a series with a more fully fleshed point of view

This movie was really interesting in its concept. An online show that invite guest viewers to tell their story. They must say the truth and depending on how rivetting it is, they get money.

If some of the reveals felt excepted and the ending, a bit of a cope out, I truly felt immersed into the storytelling. The acting was also pretty good with Ohmori Motoki (from the band Mrs. GREEN APPLE) that positively surprised me in his first main role.

I would recommend this to people that enjoy thriller genre. It reminded me a bit of the Japanese series "The Quiz Show S2" with the public game of truth reveal. I liked the societal questions it raised even if I regret the way it wrapped up.

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No words….the 3 stars are only the actors.

My goodness this was such a painful watch…I can only blame myself for seating through it. The only reason I stayed was for the main couple cause they clearly had chemistry..but the script and pacing was just horrendous! I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh…Also please they’ve got to stop adding random scenes with kids in these shows…if they should, at least let it be for a reason and don’t even get me started on the make up (that clearly needed some blending) on some of the side characters. Good lord!

DARM this might be my first negative review on here. Gosh I need to breathe.…I’m so sad and just gah! IT HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL and the production team ruined it!

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Mostly a fanservice epilogue - not needed but cute & fun

Was this sequel needed ? No. Did it felt mainly like fanservice ? Yes. Am I still happy to have found back those loveable characters ? For sure !

I truly enjoyed watching Pond and Phuwin having fun again in those roles, especially Pond as the character of Thee is so extreme in the best way. I also loved that the sequel gave the opportunity to develop more the characters of Rome and Mok, played respectively by William and Est. They even stole the show from the leads, as this gave their characters the opportunity to develop better a romantic arc than in the main series.

However, I really regret that the side characters played by Santa and Perth, were once again relegated to the background, with little to no development. Their storylines felt sacrificed and their characters felt like an afterthought, mainly because of the introduction of another new relationship. On paper, it definitely felt like the writers have bitten too much they could chew and I think that they should have focused on wrapping and enhancing the storylines of characters from the main series rather than dedicating time to a new couple.

Despite the fact that this epilogue was not really needed and did not improve on the couple of misses of the original series, I would still recommend this to people that have enjoyed Me and Thee. I still think it was a bad idea to introduce a new character (Mira) in a 4 episodes epilogue and to dedicate too much time to her, to the detriment of the other already developed relationships. Having said that, I still had a lot of fun and giggles with the series and I am very happy at how it developed and enhanced the storyline of the secondary characters of Rome and Mok.

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The Drama I Almost Skipped Turned Out to Be a Masterpiece

Honestly, I never expected to love this drama as much as I did.

When I first came across A Splendid Match, I wasn't particularly interested in watching it. The main leads weren't among the big-name actors I usually associated with top-tier Chinese dramas, and the production budget didn't seem particularly impressive compared with some of the bigger historical dramas. Naturally, I had my doubts about whether the acting and storytelling would be good enough.

But after finishing the drama, all I can say is I was completely wrong.

This drama turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. In fact, I would go as far as calling it a masterpiece.

First of all, the storytelling is fantastic. The pacing is excellent, the plot develops naturally, and the story manages to keep you engaged without feeling unnecessarily stretched. Every major development feels meaningful, and the characters have room to grow. What impressed me most is how well the drama balances family conflicts, personal ambitions, political intrigue, character development, and romance without losing its focus.

And then there's Gu Jinzhao, portrayed by Ren Min.

Honestly, I absolutely loved her character. She's outspoken, independent, intelligent, and unafraid to stand up for herself. She doesn't simply accept the unfair treatment imposed on her because of her family or social status. Instead, she confronts problems directly and uses her intelligence and strategic thinking to navigate difficult situations.

What makes her particularly refreshing is that she has her own ambitions and principles. She doesn't live solely for romance, nor does she blindly follow what society expects of her. Her determination to protect her interests, seek justice, and build a future on her own terms makes her a genuinely compelling female lead.

I especially enjoyed how she stood up to the people who had wronged her rather than quietly accepting their treatment. Her conflicts within the Gu family demonstrate that she isn't just someone who talks confidently; she is willing to take action and accept the consequences of her decisions. Her practical approach to business and marriage also gives her character more depth than the typical historical-drama heroine.

Ren Min's performance was outstanding. She brought Gu Jinzhao to life in a way that made the character feel natural and convincing. Her expressions, delivery, and portrayal of the character's personality were excellent. She deserves a lot of credit for making Gu Jinzhao such an enjoyable character to watch.

And Ci Sha as Chen Yanyun? Absolutely fantastic.

His performance was equally impressive, and the chemistry between him and Ren Min was one of my favourite aspects of the entire drama. Their relationship felt natural, and I genuinely enjoyed watching their interactions. Their romance wasn't just about romantic moments or misunderstandings; it was also about trust, respect, and understanding.

What I particularly appreciated was that Chen Yanyun respected Gu Jinzhao's individuality. He didn't need her to become a completely different person to fit his expectations. Instead, their relationship allowed her to remain true to herself while the two gradually developed a deeper understanding of each other.

Their dynamic made the romance especially satisfying. They weren't simply a couple who fell in love; they were two capable individuals who could understand and support each other. And watching their relationship develop was genuinely enjoyable.

Another aspect I appreciated was how the story extended beyond their romantic relationship. As Chen Yanyun pursued his political ambitions and worked to address corruption and improve people's lives, Gu Jinzhao became more than just his romantic partner. Her intelligence, business experience, and ability to understand people made her a valuable partner in their shared journey.

That gave their relationship a stronger foundation. Their story wasn't just about falling in love; it was also about growing together and building something meaningful.

And honestly, I think this is one of the reasons the drama worked so well for me. The romance, family drama, and political storyline complemented one another rather than feeling like separate stories forced into the same series.

Now, let's talk about the production.

I'll admit that the visuals aren't necessarily on the same level as those of some big-budget Chinese historical dramas. Certain aspects of the production could have benefited from a larger budget, particularly when it comes to the overall visual spectacle.

However, the drama proves that a massive budget isn't a prerequisite for excellent storytelling.

The production doesn't need to be the most visually spectacular to deliver a memorable experience. When the writing is strong, the pacing is right, and the actors understand their characters, the result can be far more satisfying than a visually extravagant drama with a weak story.

And that's precisely what happened here.

Despite my initial doubts, the performances, character development, romance, and storytelling won me over completely. I became invested in the characters and genuinely enjoyed following their journey.

Ren Min and Ci Sha absolutely delivered, and their performances deserve far more appreciation. The supporting cast also contributed to making the story feel complete.

So, why not a perfect 10/10?

Because, for me, a 10/10 represents a drama that feels almost flawless in every aspect. While A Splendid Match comes remarkably close, I still think there is a little room for improvement, particularly in the visual presentation. But that doesn't change how much I enjoyed the experience.

My final rating is 9.5/10.

I started this drama with low expectations and finished it wondering why I had hesitated to watch it in the first place.

Great storytelling, excellent pacing, outstanding performances, a compelling female lead, and a genuinely satisfying romance. This drama delivered almost everything I could ask for from a historical Chinese romance.

Sometimes, the best dramas aren't the ones we anticipate the most. They're the ones that surprise us when we least expect it.

A Splendid Match is one of those dramas. Highly recommended! ❤️

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Ten Years of Devotion—and the Desire to Be Loved in Return

If you ask whether I enjoyed this drama, my first answer would be, “It frustrated me.” Yet I kept watching, and by the end, I could not say I disliked it. There is something quietly absorbing about this unequal, emotionally restrained relationship.

Lu Xiaofan enters the Bei family through a marriage arranged for other people’s convenience. His own family treats him as expendable, while his new household seems to regard him as little more than an extra servant. His wish is painfully small: he wants someone to need him.

That is what makes his attachment to Bei Lüqing understandable. Lüqing helps him study and deals with his family’s unreasonable demands. Xiaofan responds by learning to make his favourite nourishing soup and preparing it every day. Being allowed close to this man becomes his small happiness.

What frustrated me was that becoming physically intimate and living together did not seem to change the balance between them. Xiaofan continued to give, while Lüqing continued to receive. Neither revealed much of what was happening inside.

But Xiaofan’s restraint should not be mistaken for an absence of feeling. Whenever he is hurt, he takes a step back and contains it. At the beginning, he is still young, with little sense that he has the right to ask for more. Simply being wanted seems enough.
Lüqing, meanwhile, notices far more than he admits. He recognises Xiaofan’s small hurts and quietly takes care of them without letting him know. Even their separation turns out to have been his way of protecting Xiaofan from his formidable mother. The audience learns this much later; Xiaofan himself is never told.

That makes Lüqing’s care both moving and exasperating. Protection offered in secret cannot reassure someone who believes he has been rejected. Lüqing may understand Xiaofan, but Xiaofan is left trying to understand Lüqing with very little help.

The story spans ten years, beginning in 1980. I found that passage of time essential to my reading of Xiaofan. The young man who once asked for almost nothing gradually becomes someone capable of demanding a response.

I spent much of the drama waiting for this sad-looking young man—who kept reminding me of the Japanese actor Teppei Koike—to finally retaliate. When he deliberately causes Lüqing a major loss through stocks, I did not read it primarily as financial revenge.

To me, he wanted to show Lüqing that he, too, could scheme against him. He was not simply the innocent, endlessly accommodating person Lüqing had grown used to watching and protecting.

More than that, I saw it as a demand for reciprocal love. Xiaofan had given his affection without calculation for years. Now he wanted Lüqing to reach for him with the same longing. He wanted to feel that love himself, rather than remain dependent on gestures whose meaning was hidden from him.

This is my interpretation, but it made the ending more satisfying. His retaliation felt like the moment he finally insisted that his own desires mattered.

Twelve episodes were the right length for me. At twenty, I might have surrendered to the frustration. At twelve, I stayed long enough for that frustration to become part of the appeal.

Lüqing seems to want to spend forever watching Xiaofan’s smallest emotional reactions. I can see the affection in that—but honestly, what an infuriating man.

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Someone's Idea of Feminism on Crack!! ?

*Deep spiritual sigh* if you like this drama I love that for you but after ep 16 it was a bunch of nonsense 😂😂.

This drama 😒 🙄...is as if 3 different writers from 3 different genre came together and decided they were going to merge their style to script the best drama to rule them all. They sought to be a "realistic" romance, a female-centric revenge à la Alexandre Dumas, and last but not least a breathtaking idol drama with gorgeous idol leads to pull in the idol fans.

Listen, they could have gotten away with it too had it not been the revenge writer's hubris and the idol drama writer's sillines 😂. Them folks were cooking for a cool 16 episodes. They gave us a banger meal.

1. Acting: The show started with the main actress playing Jundai who is not the main character of the story but the cousin of said character. There was a little case of illegal baby swapping at some point, you see. Anyways, Jundai was fire!! Malicious, and rotten to the bone. She gave us one of the best performance as a scene opener to set the story. And then when you thought she couldn't be anymore villainous she bashes someone head ON SCREEN. 10 out of 10. I was hollering and hooting the whole time. Because what do you mean?!! And then halfway to the story when they took out the main antagonists (and quite frankly the best and only ones that mattered) down, we got 2 veteran actress who gave us a master class in acting. Just raw feeling in the screen bro!! This lady said "You weren't trying to break me, you were trying to break my soul" just because I'm pretty, have a fat ass, and you man didn't want you so he dropped you for me? Ok i added the last part but yeah just chef kiss good. And then the evil Aunt monologue...my god that ish still gives me the chills. That little nasty half whisper and breath screech talk she does when she want to sound even more disturbed lol. Oh so good!she was the stepmother in Story Of MingLan and I have loved her ever since. She is such an amazinf actress. Tian Xiwei is a solid actress. It ain't her fault the script got stupid at the end. From episode 1-17 I enjoyed her acting and shenanigans. Obviously, she has room to grow but I'd say this was one of her best performance.

2. Story: 🤣🤣🤣🤣 because I have already said SO VEHEMENTLY how stupid I find the 2nd half in the comments sections already of this show main age on here, I don't have the strength to muster anything else. But we went from a peasant girl who used to go around to scoop rich folks excrements to noble lady who can take down noble families, rixh and influential lords, princes and crown princes, and 2 empresses, accurately predicts and emperor every move with little no consequences within a period of 1-2 years. And also be a secret vigilante and part-time ninja at night lol. Can't forget that one! I know you think I'm pulling your leg but I am deadass. The story ends with her about to act like a possible "regent " of some sort to her nephew until he comes of age. And yeah her nephew rigth, is also conveniently the child of her half-brother the emperor and her foster sister. You know because the emperor had 2 wives BUT ONLY HER SISTER can pregnant duh! How convenient 🤔 ! When I tell you it's feminism "TM" on crack!! Or whatever these people think feminism is I guess lol.

Between the 3 writer or writing style I don't know who decided they were gonna add a dash of the "feminist herbs" to the recipe, but couldn't have been the romance writer. The romance was barely there.

Anyways the 2nd half of the show was so ridiculous that it removed all of the good will I had for the 1st half. If you're a romance girlie and really want to watch it because the ML pairing is so tempting, I say watch ep1-16 and then watch the rest at 1.5x speed. If you're a "smart revenge show" type of fan, there is revenge in the second half but none of the characters were well fleshed-out or developed so I don't know how much you can enjoy this mess. I guess you can try to make the scheming and "strategies " make sense but only if you go in it knowing that everyone in the shownisnjust a bunch of dumbasses with no common sense and she is the only smart one lol. And of course, her arm candy of a husband can be too but only when it serves HER SIDE of the story...because feminism duh🫠. If you're for Yan An...prepare to be disappointed lol. We barely got to see him being "an idol" actor because the FL was too busy running around with that one other guy for no good reason that serves the plot if you ask me🙄🙄...except well she's a Mary-Sue so of course ALL OF THE MAIN BOYS love her and her only. No other girl exist in the supposedly "girl's girl" show.

Alright now go on and be happy. It's a harmless nonsense show to couch rot on.

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