Reviews

Super creative and modern

The cast delivers a solid performance as well that really pulls you in.

The chemistry between Tan Jianci and Li Landi is perfect and the banters between them, and mutual scheming is chef's kiss. Jianci is such an amazing actor who honestly just makes every character his own, and it's not exception in this drama, where he plays Tang Qi, a cosmetics phD who is as adorable as he is strategic, but struggles with an sensory overload eye condition.

Lost You Forever fans are in for a real treat as there are multiple LYF easter eggs scattered throughout the drama. The author of LYF is also the screenwriter of Filter. What a treat!

I'm loving all the characters including the side characters (Gu Yu, Lian Yu, Su Qingli). All of them are loyal to their friends and they aren't dumb at all and actually successfully help their friends face problems realistically.

For me it’s definitely an urban fantasy with comedic moments and a deeper exploration of the filters that we all have about ourselves and others.

This drama gets you laughing until your stomach hurts, cringe due to it's ridiculous antics, think twice about it's commentary about beauty and self love and fall deeply in love with Tang Qi and Su Cheng Cheng. This drama is amazing and well worth the watch.

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Mixed But Ultimately Disappointing Bag

A very mixed and disappointing bag. Let me start with the good.

1. I LOVED the acting. The main actors are absolutely lovely, both in their roles and out. Picked from relative obscurity, this show could not have found two more perfect people to play these roles. And I find myself enjoying watching their promo videos and fan videos of them far more than the actual drama.

2. The intimacy between the main characters. And no, I don’t just mean the sex. In fact, although I know everybody loves the honey scene, sploshing is just not my kink. And neither is wet clothing. Sensory nightmares for me. What I mean is the interactions between the main characters as they navigate and build their relationship, especially when it’s just them alone.

3. The music. There was one Korean song in particular that I actually added to my playlist, it was so pretty. I also liked the use of classical-style instrumental music. Much better than some of the computerized synth music they use in other dramas.

Now let’s talk about the in between.

1. The cinematography. I loved the way they used lighting in this, and some of the close ups and the creative shots are gorgeous. But there was also some weird shaky cam work that I didn’t enjoy, and also some weird framing that tipped over my line into unnecessarily abstract/artsy. But that’s likely just a personal preference.

2. Like I said, the NC scenes. Excellent intimacy and acting in them, but a couple sensory nightmares.

And the bad.

1. I don’t watch dramas to be devastated or melancholy. I have never understood why people enjoy this. Life is hard and sad and stressful enough without making myself sadder with the media I consume. This show, while there were some truly lovely, bright moments, was overall so saccharinely melancholy that it made me feel just generally icky. The biggest example of this is the episode near-ish the end where Akin spends nearly 30 whole minutes of it crying over the death of his grandmother. Yes, it’s very sad to lose someone so close to you. A real person would likely spend far more time crying and grieving. But this is a show. He reads the last letter he wrote to her and cries the whole time, then he reads her last letter to him and cries, then dreams about her and cries, and cries and cries… It’s so drawn out, I couldn’t even feel anything after a while. I just ended up skimming it. I shouldn’t feel like I need to skim through such pivotal moments for the characters.

2. Jin was honestly a bit of a creep. Like, I understand watching through the body of someone’s work in order to better learn your craft from them, but while that’s what he claimed to be doing, it came across more like he was digitally stalking Akin while also kind of forcing his presence on him irl and trying to better his craft so that he could be more “on his level” and thus be with him. His only character trait seemed to be being obsessed with Akin, which didn’t sit well with me. I don’t even know if he actually likes acting since it seemed like he’d probably be fine with giving it up if it meant he could be with Akin.

3. This is a little random and nitpicky, but I really despised Jin’s hair. It was in his eyes more than 90% of the time, which not only bothers me in a “isn’t that poking him in the eyes???” way, but it also means that Smart’s acting was impeded by his hair. Emotion is partly in the eyes, so if we can’t see his eyes, we lose access to some of his emotions. So this did not help the issue I had with feeling like his character did not have much personality other than being obsessed with Akin.

4. Why the heck would anybody with as much good sense and acting chops as Akin try to dramatically throw himself off a building just because he lost a “sexiest man of the year” award? I understood what they were going for. They were trying to show that Akin is getting older and getting passed over for the next big, upcoming, young star, and he’s feeling old and thrown away by the industry he loves and has staked his career, his life, and his self-worth on. But really, “sexiest man of the year”? I can see a major acting award doing this, but like, I didn’t see Akin as being that shallow before this…

5. Apart from all my personal feelings about the characters, the tone, and etc., the biggest nail in the coffin for me with this show is the sexual assault that was treated like a character cheated, except don’t worry because he didn’t… There is a situation where Akin gets stumblingly, passing out drunk around another actor he’s in a play with, and this actor takes him back to his place and tries to have sex with him. Akin is IN NO WAY ABLE TO CONSENT TO ANY OF THIS. Eventually, Akin starts mumbling Jin’s name and the other guy decides not to have sex with him and instead leaves hickies all over his body just to mess with him. Akin wakes up the next morning, thinks he cheated on Jin, and breaks up with him over it. Eventually, Jin gets a recording of the actor saying he didn’t ACTUALLY have sex with him, and all is well again. BUT EVEN IF AKIN DID HAVE SEX WITH THAT ACTOR, IT WOULD NOT BE CHEATING. IT WOULD BE RAPE. Because, like I said, HE VERY MUCH COULD NOT CONSENT. As it is, leaving hickies all over a passed out person’s body is definitely some flavor of sexual assault. But the show NEVER treats this like a rape situation, instead treating it like a cheating situation, and that’s just messed up.

So. While there were some bright, lovely moments in this show, there were also so many things that I just really did not enjoy and one major stain on the quality of this show that means I can’t get behind it. But I truly do wish these actors well and will follow their works in the future.

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Tan Jianci and Jin Shijia return as the crime fighting duo

While Forensic Art is still the focal point of most investigations, this time we dig deeper into Shen Yi’ as he empathizes or tries to better understand the psychology of the criminals.
Shen Yi’s idealism is charming. Perhaps all credit goes to Tan Jianci.
The show also identifies the kinds of mental health issues that result from the lawlessness that poorly navigates the technological advances of the 21st century

“I don’t want to draw just their faces and personalities, I want to draw their hearts”

Tan Jian Ci has perfected the act of “Shen Yi”. He is brilliant especially when he’s given free rein to run through the entire gallery of emotions. He hogs the spotlight thanks to the direction of narrative and themes. I was left speechless by his bold rendition, Tan Jian Ci has really come a long way indeed!

Shen Yi: "You sacrificed other people's lives to break out of the cocoon and become a butterfly, but in the end you can only be trapped in your own cocoon. You want to trample on the lives of others and ascend to heaven to become a god, but your final end must be falling into dust."

Tan Jianci's portrayal of Shen Yi in the criminal investigation drama "Hunting Crime Picture Book" series has achieved a breakthrough character due to its complexity and Tan Jianci's immersive acting skills.
As a genius portrait artist, Shen Yi has both the sharp insight of an artist and the professional rationality of a criminal policeman.

In the play, he shows his multifaceted nature of wandering on the edge of genius and paranoia through "using madness to defeat madness".
During interrogation, his eyes are as sharp as a knife. When solving cases, he is focused on details. When facing the abyss of human nature, he reveals a sense of brokenness.

Tan Jianci deeply interprets the psychological changes of the character through detailed acting skills such as pupil trembling eyes and micro-expressions. It is simply a "microscope performance"

The show does not give up focusing on empathetic stories, the ones that will make you cry and feel aggrieved!
The cast is incredible competent and with chemistry and charisma

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Prisoner of Beauty – aka My Unexpected Drama Snack

So picture this: me, lying in a C-drama drought so dry even the sand was crying, and suddenly Prisoner of Beauty strolls in looking like a visual feast. Much appreciated, truly.

Let’s start with the aesthetics—because they were lovely. The costumes and overall color palette were so pleasing to the eye. Special shoutout to the FL’s wardrobe and styling; she looked consistently beautiful, and the details were just chef’s kiss.
The ML also had his share of great styling moments. His war armor, especially the one with gold accents, was such a standout look. Paired with the long ponytail, it gave a strong, composed presence that really fit the character well. Very visually well done without being over the top.

Plot-wise, it’s the trusty ol’ enemies-to-lovers trope in a historical setting we all know like the back of our skip button. Predictable? Yup. Boring? Not really. I wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I was comfortably lounging on it. And when the story leaned into politics and scheming? That was my cue to skim like a pro. I’m a certified skipper™ and proud—life’s too short for royal strategy meetings.

Now, the main couple. Their chemistry was cozy—like warm tea, not fireball shots. But give it time. By episode 30-something I was fully sold, cheering like a stage mom. And bless this drama for skipping those dramatic breakups. I did not come here for manufactured heartbreak. I came for soft stares, quiet loyalty, and cuddly vibes.

Side characters? Oh, I loved them. I feared for them. I mourned them. Why must every kind and likable person be marked for death? Give them plot armor, I beg! But while they lived, they were lovely. That being said, the number of the side characters that survived is higher than I anticipated, so it's a good thing.
And the villains… listen. They were more “ew, go away” than “ooh, scary.” Not the type you love to hate. More like the type you fast-forward through while rolling your eyes.

All in all, Prisoner of Beauty gave me what I needed—comfort, pretty aesthetics, a slow-burn romance, and an ending that tied things up without leaving me screaming into the void. Solid 9/10. Would rewatch selected scenes while eating snacks.

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Dont let the mixed reviews sway you !

Honestly im glad i didnt read the reviews before watching this (i usually depend on them!)

I honestly really enjoyed reborn rich, i binge watched it all in one go. I will say the ending was rushed and wasnt as satisfying as it should have bewn BUT despite that i still really enjoyed the show!

Ive really been into the time travel/ second chance dramas recently so i wasnt put off by the fact that the ML knew everything despite being "reborn" as a kid in this other family. Like yes it made things all go in his way but it wasnt too OP as youd think it could be, again this is a second chance drama so its to be expected.

Like i said the ending was rushed, it couls have honestly been stretched out into a whole other episode and deserved an extra episode tbh. There are certain things that werent properly adressed that should have been.

But besides that, the acting was amazing, the plot was plotting, the cinematography was *chefs kiss* so i really enjoyed it !

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An intricate tale of rivalry, cunning deception and first love

I chose to watch this drama because I was preparing to write a reddit post about Han Yu Tong's revenge dramas.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - Shen Ming Xia was smart and scheming. Her revenge plan was carefully crafted so don't mess with her.
2. Acting - Good performances by the actresses who played the Queen and two concubines. While I liked Han Yu Tong's overall performance in this drama, at times I found her facial expressions too "hard" so I wasn't sure whether Shen Ming Xia was scheming or really being kind/genuine.
3. Supporting characters - I must say that antagonists were a delight to watch and hate. I also liked the servants who were kind to Shen Ming Xia.
4. Romance - I liked scenes of Shen Ming Xia's first love more than scenes of her blossoming romance with the emperor.

What I disliked:
1. Length - With a running time of 4 hours 7 minutes, it feels like watching a condensed version of Chinese period drama. I prefer modern drama and with bad subtitles, I struggled with this drama during the second act. However once moved into third act, I became invested in the story again.
2. Romance - Slow burn romance but only a few scenes. I would have liked if the romance between Shen Ming Xia and the Emperor was given more screentime. I want good, real kisses too.
3. Nails - Gosh I couldn't stand Han Yu Tong's long manicured nails. They felt out of place in this drama.

Favourite scene
When Shen Ming Xia saved a wounded soldier

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Glorifying toxic relationships

This drama glorifies toxic and even abusive relationships by trying to portray problematic behaviors as if it's acceptable. They push the narrative that "family loyalty is everything," even if it means standing by your toxic family.

In 2025, where progressive or emotionally mature directors and screenwriters understand that sometimes found family is better than actual family and sometimes it's healthy to leave toxic environment, the team behind this project disagrees.

This drama espouses misguided "Confucian" values, emotional immaturity, and manipulative tactics. According to the drama's logic, it's okay to abuse your wife physically, it's okay to abuse your kids emotionally, it's okay to steal someone else's husband and con him into believing he's the father of your son, it's okay to gamble, it's okay for an adult to not have a job and steal money from family members, it's okay to lie to your partners, it's okay to blame someone for someone else's actions, because in the end, you'll all be forgiven... your kids will still love you, your partners will forgive you, etc. The magical powers of filial piety will make you whole again. Are you disturbed yet?

You have to REALLY suspend your logic to understand this drama. Nothing about the plot, the dialogue, and the pacing is well-executed.

Even the romantic scenes were hard to stomach because the dialogue and situations were very over-the-top and corny. It's not cheesy in a way that makes you swoon and blush but makes you cringe with secondhand embarrassment.

Acting wise. I enjoyed Ryu's and Candy's performances. I thought Ryu did well given the material and delivered when it comes to expressing emotions through his eyes and face. He was able to go toe-to-toe with more senior actors during explosive scenes. Candy is a newbie but she's outspoken and fun to watch, even if the writers made her behavior a bit brat-like at times.

Namfah stayed solid --- she's long been typecasted into bubbly roles so she did not improve nor did she regress. Meen should stick to modeling and not acting. He lacks nuance and depth in acting and interprets a calm/pressured character as having to act stiff all the time.

Mint was the biggest disappointment. She regressed and is better off as supporting than lead, especially since she played the same role (poor, bland characters with mommy issues) three times in a row now. Her character started rather bland but level-headed then ended as just a dumb character who makes allowances for things emotionally mature people wouldn't make but hold grudges on things emotionally mature people would let go.

Lastly, the annoying gambling uncle. He had SO MUCH screen time because he's either one of the producers or married to the producer/screenwriter in real life. Yet his character is 100% disposable. They should have made the two female leads orphans instead.

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The Prisoner of Beauty

I genuinely enjoyed watching Prisoner of Beauty and made it a point to tune in daily as each new episode aired. The series had its fair share of misunderstandings, which at times felt a bit overwhelming, but the engaging storyline and compelling performances kept me invested throughout.

What truly stood out for me was the female lead (FL). It was refreshing to see such a smart, capable character take center stage. Her intelligence and calm in tough situations added depth to the drama, offering a nice change from the usual tropes. She was definitely the smartest character in the series, and it made the plot even more enjoyable.

As for the male lead (ML), his performance was outstanding as always. He brings a consistent level of quality and emotion to every role he takes on, and this drama was no exception. I’ll continue to watch anything he stars in because he never disappoints.

The drama struck a great balance between humor and heartfelt emotion. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but it also didn’t shy away from touching on more emotional themes, which added layers to the overall story. The supporting cast also delivered strong performances, making the world of the drama feel complete and vibrant.

I'm definitely looking forward to Liu Yu Ning’s next project. If you’re looking for a drama that blends comedy, drama, and clever storytelling with a standout cast, Prisoner of Beauty is highly recommended.

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As far I am enjoying

I just thought to write a review now, because I am seeing unnecessary hatred towards it...
It's not that even bad...
I just want to say to neutral watchers don't just listen to the hatred and judge, give it a try like try even first 6 episodes... Then decide....
Cause I am enjoying each and every moment...
When i start a drama i don't go for logic and maturity and all. I will just try first few episodes and see, is it keeping me enjoyed. As for this one, I am really enjoying it so far...
As for the making its good, some shots are just too beautiful it reminds me the cinematography of " The Best Thing "...

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garbage

Diving into Tastefully Yours at episode 5 without the context of prior episodes was an intriguing experience—but ultimately a frustrating one, especially when it comes to the male lead (ML), Han Beom-woo (played by Kang Ha-neul). These two episodes—centered around a cozy Jeonju diner and a tangled love triangle—are supposed to blend rom-com charm with emotional drama, but what they actually deliver is a case study in how to write a male lead so spineless, it becomes painful to watch.

Episode 5: The Diner Disaster
The episode takes place largely in a small restaurant run by Beom-woo and the female lead (FL), Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si), a passionate, confident chef. On paper, this setup should be a recipe for heartfelt moments and character-driven storytelling. But episode 5 derails all that potential with a single, jarring scene.

After the diner serves a special customer and is getting ready to close, the second male lead (SML), Jeon Min—a rival chef and Yeon-joo’s ex—waltzes in asking for a meal. Beom-woo, rightly, says they’re closed. He’s the owner. It’s his business. But Yeon-joo completely ignores him and lets Jeon Min stay, preparing him a meal like it’s her personal kitchen. Professionalism? Boundaries? Basic courtesy? All tossed out the window.

Worse than her overstep is Beom-woo’s response. He doesn’t confront her. He doesn’t assert himself. Instead, he sulks outside the restaurant like a kicked puppy while his crush (and employee) serves her ex with a warm smile. It's not romantic—it’s tragic. Here's a man who owns the diner, presumably a successful heir of a food company, yet acts like he has no power or pride. The “tap water” metaphor floating around online—that men line up for Yeon-joo because she’s everywhere and emotionally available—feels brutal, but not entirely wrong. Beom-woo seems to trade dignity for any scrap of affection she might throw his way.

Kang Ha-neul’s performance is earnest, but he’s working with hollow material. There’s no tension, no fight, no reason to root for this guy. He’s written as if he’s already given up on himself. Meanwhile, Go Min-si’s Yeon-joo, though charismatic and layered, makes choices that seem inconsistent with a professional chef or someone emotionally grounded. Is she kind? Is she manipulative? Is she clueless? We don’t know—and the writing doesn’t seem interested in answering.

Episode 6: The Fly-Out Fiasco
If you thought episode 5 made Beom-woo look pathetic, episode 6 throws gasoline on the fire.

After Yeon-joo literally leaves the country without a proper goodbye—no conversation, no closure, just a note—Beom-woo flies out to see her. Yes, he abandons his diner to chase a woman who didn’t even have the decency to tell him in person she was leaving. She goes with her ex to visit an old teacher who, plot twist, doesn’t even recognize her due to dementia. That whole subplot feels empty and forced—like a lazy attempt at depth that lands with a dull thud.

But let’s get back to Beom-woo.

He arrives, confronts her with maybe two lines of dialogue, and that’s it. That’s the grand gesture. And what does the SML do? He laughs at him. And honestly, we all do a little. Because what else is there to do when the male lead looks like the biggest fool in the entire narrative?

He’s flown across borders for a woman who doesn’t love him, doesn’t respect him, and clearly doesn’t even think of him as a real presence in her life. She treats him like a backup, an option, a placeholder for emotional comfort. And yet there he is, clinging to some romantic notion that his devotion will eventually matter.

Let me be blunt: she is not worth it. Yes, she’s pretty, talented, and has layers. But none of those things mean anything when she treats him like he’s disposable. And the worst part? He keeps proving her right. He acts disposable. He lets her walk all over him. He doesn’t stand up for himself, doesn’t confront her properly, doesn’t even demand a real conversation. He remains a loser because he refuses to value himself.

Final Thoughts
Episodes 5 and 6 of Tastefully Yours had the potential to be emotionally resonant and character-driven. Instead, they waste that potential on tired tropes, weak character development, and a male lead so lacking in pride or self-worth that he’s hard to watch.

The romantic triangle isn’t romantic—it’s depressing. The show seems more interested in stirring up melodrama than actually exploring why these characters behave the way they do. And while the acting is decent across the board, the writing undermines every emotional beat.

Rating: 1/10, mostly for the performances and aesthetic. But unless the show gives Han Beom-woo a spine and finally forces Yeon-joo to confront her actions (without her ex playing emotional chauffeur), it’s hard to see this as anything more than a frustrating, empty romance.

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Where do I even begin?

Wei Wuxian and Lang Wangji are now a part of me.
Very dramatic but the truth lolol.

If you are watching this for the first time and feel bored/this is slow, I beg you to keep going. The plot can get a bit confusing but it's worth the intial ??? you may feel. How the story unfolds and the relationship between Wei Ying and Lang Zhan make everything worth it.
Even with the censorship, their relationship is beautiful and leaves no doubt in your mind. It was just so well made, and I can't imagine a world without them.
If you're really up for it, I would also recommend reading the books along with the show or before/after, as they can also help clear up some confusion.
Regardless, this is a must watch and I will never get sick of recommending it.

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