Reviews

Smiley Huang Wen Bo made this drama enjoyable watch

I am preparing a reddit post on Han Jia Hui dramas so I decided to watch this drama. It has been awhile since I last watched Huang Wen Bo dramas. I saw douyin clip of them having fun. Anyway the drama had familiar plot so it was predictable. Execution wise alright.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I liked her resilience and self-reliance. She was determined to be her own person without the rich wife tag
2. ML characterisation - He was Mr Nice Guy. He was smitten by FL and protective and nurturing.
3. Romance - Sweet romance with spicy first encounter. I liked that ML always reassured FL when she felt insecure. A few kisses between them.
4. Huang Wen Bo - He was smiling all the time and gosh gorgeous smile.
5. Supporting characters - I liked FL's close colleague & ML's assistant (the actor was attractive). The actor who played FL's older brother was ripped and handsome too bad his character was a douchebag.
6. Hidden identity - I liked that ML came clean with his identity after the official meeting with FL. No silly imposter or persona.
7. Styling - Hotel employee uniform looked like Thai traditional clothes - I liked them. Some characters also wore Hawaiian tshirts & singlets so I assumed this resort must be in tropical side of the country.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL's work rival was something. Envious of FL constantly slandering FL. ML's supposed fiancée was delusional. Her scheming was something else.
2. FL's families - Both adopted and biological families were horrible. I couldn't believe Mrs Chen was ok with her adopted daughter harming FL.

Favourite scene
FL and ML's intimate encounter

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It is a cheesy but watchable RomCom that involved time-travel concept. No originality.

Summit of Our Youth is a time-travel Romantic Comedy starring Sun Zhen Ni and Cheng Jing Ke. It is a cute and watchable RomCom, and the on-screen chemistry between the main characters was good.

The plot was mediocre, lacking originality, but it was still watchable.

Synopsis: In her past life, Gu Xue Jiao failed her college entrance exams due to her "love-obsessed" mindset. After years of struggling in the workplace, she remained a bottom-tier outsourcing employee. She even became the primary target of her "ruthless boss", Lin Zhi Hua, during a round of layoffs. When Gu Xue Jiao confronted Lin Zhi Hua, an unexpected twist sent her back in time to her third year of high school. Given a second chance, Gu Xue Jiao learns from her previous mistakes. Determined to prioritize her studies over romance, she transforms from being "love-focused" to "career-focused". While rewriting her destiny, she also forges a sweet and mutually fulfilling romance with Lin Zhi Hua, where both individuals become significant influences on each other's lives.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 8
2. Script: 7
3. Music/OST: 7
4. Production Quality: 8
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 7
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 8

Overall Rating: 7.5

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Awesome Chinese version of superhero costume drama. Song Yi and Ryan Cheng were awesome.

Shadow Love is a Wuxia costume drama starring Song Yi, Ryan Cheng, Bi Wen Jun, and Shi Ge. This is the year for Ryan Cheng. So far, I have enjoyed his acting abilities in the dramas "The Legend of Female General" and "Footprints of Change." He portrayed each character very well, especially in this one, where he was loving, caring, and childlike, possessing a superpower that came to rescue General Zhenbei (played by Song Yi) whenever she was in trouble.

Their on-screen chemistry was cute, and the fighting scenes were awesome. I really enjoyed this drama, and it is refreshing to see; it's like a Chinese version of Superman or Spiderman.

Synopsis: Li Shuang, a female general of Taijin, takes in an amnesiac man she finds by chance and names him Jin An. Jin An accompanies Li Shuang wholeheartedly, and the two secretly fall in love. However, when Jin An remembers that he is actually the prince of an enemy state, the two devoted lovers have no choice but to take up arms against each other. Jin An also has another identity as a supernatural warrior named Xuan Yi Ke, who remembers Li Shuang, loves her unconditionally, and vows to protect her at all costs. Jaded by war, they decide to join forces to resolve the crisis and uphold justice.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 8
2. Script: 7
3. Music/OST: 7
4. Production Quality: 8
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 7
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 8

Overall Rating: 7.5

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Don't waste your time and energy with this drama. It was depressing to watch.

Our Generation is a modern drama about young lovers starring Zhao Jin Mai and Zhang Ling He. Okay, just because they were good together in the costume drama called The Princess Royal, it doesn't mean they are good in this modern drama.

Their acting ability was good, but the script was horrible, and I blamed the director, editor, and producer for even making this drama. I wasted my valuable time, and I had hoped things would improve, but they didn't.

Jiang Qiao Xi was such a loser and an insecure guy, and his domineering mom was annoyed; Lin Qi Le was stupid enough to stick with him. It was depressing to watch this drama; I even watched it at 2x speed.

Synopsis: Lin Qi Le, nicknamed Cherry, grows up under the loving care of her parents, both electrical construction workers, alongside her friends Yu Qiao, Qin Ye Yun, Du Shang, and Cai Fang Yuan in a construction site nestled in the mountains. Jiang Qiao Xi, a talented boy raised as a replacement for his late older brother by his parents, gradually integrates into this close-knit group after transferring to their school. Lin Qi Le's family becomes a rare source of warmth in Jiang Qiao Xi's childhood, and she becomes an important figure in his life. As time passes, the friends scatter in different directions. Lin Qi Le, whose heart is as clear as amber, begins to experience the bittersweet aspects of growing up and steps out of the protective wings of her parents into the wider world. Years later, the group reunites at a provincial experimental school, where they support one another through three years of hard work, preparing for a broader future. At this time, Jiang Qiao Xi, whose future is promising, leaves without telling anyone to go to Hong Kong to care for his cousin, who has been bedridden due to an accident. Lin Qi Le, who misses him, bravely seeks him out, and after learning about the world as adults now, the bond between Lin Qi Le and Jiang Qiao Xi grows stronger.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 7
2. Script: 4
3. Music/OST: 5
4. Production Quality: 6
5. Cinematography: 6
6. Rewatchable: 3
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 6

Overall Rating: 5

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iQiYi did it again with short-series, good story about time revers crime drama. BJT was awesome

Mobius is a time and space crime drama starring Bai Jing Ting, Janice Man, and Song Yang.

Bai Jing Ting's character (Ding Qi) was a skilled detective who utilized his reverse time ability to solve multiple crimes involving murder suspects who also possessed a similar gift.

There were some humorous elements in this short-series drama; however, the romance between him and An Lan (played by Janice Man) was not particularly compelling. Their on-screen chemistry was not good.

Synopsis: In a specific time and space, detective Ding Qi accidentally discovered that he could reverse time and repeat the cycle five times on the same day from time to time. He utilized this superpower to solve numerous challenging cases. One day, a murder notice from suspect X suddenly appeared. Several previous cases of suspected X's perfect committing methods made Ding Qi suspect: X also seems to have the superpower of the time loop. The investigation team, headed by Ding Qi, joined the case investigation. During the investigation, Ding Qi discovered that more and more doubts surround a certain genetic research group. As the investigation deepens, more people become involved, including those close to Ding Qi.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 8.5
2. Script: 8.5
3. Music/OST: 8
4. Production Quality: 8
5. Cinematography: 8
6. Rewatchable: 8
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 6

Overall Rating: 8

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Intelligence and smart wit in taking revenge. Xiao Zhan was phenomenal

The Legend of Zang Hai is a costume drama that involves intelligence and manipulation on the part of Zang Hai/Zhi Nu to solve the murders of his family members.

Xiao Zhan did a phenomenal job portraying these two characters, demonstrating good wit, intelligence, and a high EQ. The other leads also did a good job, especially Huang Jue. His character was eventually betrayed by Zhi Nu, his most trusted confidant.

The entire ensemble cast did a good job. Master Gao Ming betrayed Zhi Nu, but eventually sacrificed his life to save Zhi Nu from Zhao Bing Wen (who rescued Zang Hai and raised him with the help of others), but was killed by Zang Hai's smartness.

Very minimal romance between Xiao Zhan's character and Zhang Jing Yi's character.

Synopsis: Zang Hai was originally the son of the Imperial Astronomer. However, when he was young, he witnessed the murder of his entire family. Deciding on the path of revenge, Zang Hai withdrew from the scene temporarily and began training himself by learning construction and the art of war. Ten years later, he returned to the capital as an unrecognizable figure and became, through mentoring, the adviser to his enemy, Duke Ping Jin. From the Lord's manor to the court, from an ordinary advisor to becoming the chief minister of the imperial cabinet, Zang Hai struggled in the face of treacherous political plots and battles, finally getting a chance to kill his enemy. However, he soon discovered that not everything was as it appeared and that he had just scratched the surface of something much bigger. Facing an unknown road ahead, Zang Hai teamed up with his beloved friends to overcome and uncover the conspiracy, defending their country.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 9
2. Script: 8.5
3. Music/OST: 8
4. Production Quality: 8.5
5. Cinematography: 8
6. Rewatchable: 8
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 7

Overall Rating: 8.5

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Good Fighting scenes but the story was draggy and boring; especially imperial court scenes

The Legend of Female General is a Wuxia costume drama starring Zhou Ye and Ryan Cheng. Their on-screen chemistry was awesome, and it was the first time I watched Ryan Cheng perform as a male lead. He is good and a talented actor. His acting and demeanor as General Feng Yun were good, better than Zhou Ye's character.

The reason I did not give a high rating is that it is a bit draggy, and it took a long time for her to be promoted to join the imperial court. There were too many imperial court scenes that were too boring to watch. The fighting scenes were choreographed perfectly, which I enjoyed the most, and the side kicks were awesome.

Synopsis: To protect her family's noble title, He Yan, the eldest daughter of the He family, is forced to don a mask and pose as the family's eldest son, "He Ru Fei." As a young girl, He Yan first meets the brilliant scholar Xiao Jue at Xianchang Academy. Determined to escape her family's fate, she leaves the academy and heads to the battlefield. Years later, He Yan returns home as a celebrated hero, only to be betrayed by her family when her brother He Ru Fei reappears. Surviving the treachery, He Yan assumes a new identity as He Yan, the daughter of a city gate officer, and disguises herself as a man to join the military in Yezhou, vowing to reclaim everything that was taken from her. In Yezhou, He Yan befriends the gentle and refined Chu Zhao and once again crosses paths with Xiao Jue. However, Xiao Jue suspects He Yan of being a spy and constantly tests her. Despite his suspicions, He Yan clings to Xiao Jue and proves her abilities by becoming the top soldier in Yezhou's defense force. Through various trials, including the Sun family incident, the Ji Yang Princess affair, and the battle to defend Rundu, the two face life and death together and gradually come to understand each other's true feelings.

My Reviews:
1. Acting: 8
2. Script: 7
3. Music/OST: 7
4. Production Quality: 8
5. Cinematography: 7
6. Rewatchable: 7
7. On-Screen Chemistry: 8

Overall Rating: 7.5

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The suspend keep me engaged as it unveiled the corruption of high ranking legal officials

In the Name of Justice is an awesome crime/legal drama about corruption and its cover-up by high-ranking officials in the justice department. It features a seasoned ensemble cast starring Zhang Yi, Li Guangjie, Jiang Xin, Liu Jia, and Feng Jia Yi.

The acting was good, as was the pacing and the script, which slowly unveiled the bad guys, including Hong Liang's family member. It kept me engaged as the story unfolded.

Synopsis: In Haidong Province, prosecutors uncover a false accusation against Zhang Wen Qing while reviewing the "Wan Group Gang Case," exposing deep corruption among judicial officials. Teaming up with law enforcement and courts, they use whistleblower leads to investigate the "213 Shooting Case." They work to dismantle the powerful Tianlong crime syndicate and bring corrupt officials to justice.

My Reviews:
Acting: 8
Script: 9
Music/OST: 7
Production Quality: 8
Cinematography: 8
Rewatchable: 8
Overall Rating: 8

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Unique plot with meaningful life lessons

Unlike others, I actually liked this, and it had meaningful life lessons that I could relate to, and for sure others can with how we should strive to do what's right with our choices and that everything has a consequence tied to these decisions, among other things. The plot for me is not your typical K-drama, and I really like how the FL (Kayoung) was strong on her own and was not some damsel in distress, while the ML (Iblis) was someone who fell in love first despite being an evil genie and was someone who was more emotional, to the point where he even cried more than the FL because of his love for her. I also really liked the lesbian representation with Minji, though I really felt bad for her when she discovered she fell in love with Pangeum instead of a normal woman her age and then proceeded to make her deal with her death because she saved her and then Kayoung immediately after. Lastly, the relationship of Kayoung to her grandmother was really touching to me personally since I could somehow relate to it. I hope, just like how Kayoung made happy memories with her grandma when she turned young, that all our grandparents can also experience the same thing before they have to go. Overall, this is a 9/10 for me for the great acting, especially the last 2 eps, and the unexpected happy ending.

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It was... (I don't know what it was)

❤️ What I Loved

Engaging Story and Witty Dialogue

Standout Performances
Yunhua, the little sister, completely steals the spotlight. She’s funny, bright, and has that natural charm that doesn’t feel rehearsed at all. Every scene she’s in gets a little lighter. Then there’s Lu Yun and his servant Jinchuan. Their bond is such a delight. They bicker, they tease, but you can sense the deep loyalty beneath it all. It’s that rare servant-master dynamic that actually feels human, not hierarchical.

Lingyu’s Complexity
Lingyu is the kind of heroine who could charm you one moment and infuriate you the next which is exactly why she works. She’s sharp, defiant, and constantly calculating, but her rebellion isn’t just for show. Beneath her wit and confidence is someone fighting tooth and nail to carve out freedom in a world built to silence her. Watching her navigate those traps (social, emotional, political) gives the story its soul.

Humour that Actually Works
So many dramas try to force comedy, but here, it flows effortlessly. Whether it’s a botched escape or a hilariously ill-timed confession, the humour feels organic to the characters. The cast’s comedic timing is spot-on.

The Soundtrack

The Journey Itself
Even when you can guess the destination, the getting-there is half the magic. The shifting alliances, the unspoken feelings, the moments that teeter between laughter and heartbreak — it’s the kind of storytelling that makes you feel every beat of the ride.

💔 What I Didn’t Love

Flat Romantic Payoffs
For all the simmering tension, the big romantic moments don’t always land. You expect something that’ll leave you breathless, but instead, it fizzles just short of that spark.

Character Flaws that Frustrate
Lingyu’s brilliance occasionally turns on itself. Her wit slips into selfishness, her defiance into hypocrisy. She’s still magnetic (no question) but there are moments when you wish she’d just step back.

Underdeveloped Side Players and Simplistic Villains
Characters like Fan Qingchen and the scheming relatives start with promise but end up one-dimensional. Their greed and paranoia feel like shortcuts instead of depth. You keep waiting for a twist a hidden motive, a redeeming moment but it never really comes.

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This is when Pure Perfection is found in a Quirky little show

I started this thinking it’d be a light, quirky watch, a quick filler while waiting for ongoing shows, and somehow ended up discovering my first 10/10 of 2025.

Now, objectively speaking, Kamisama no Ekohiiki might be a 9.
But subjectively? Emotionally? It’s pure perfection.
The kind of show that sneaks up on you, then lives rent-free in your chest long after the final episode.


💫 Story

The premise might sound familiar: body-swap, gender-swap, a touch of divine meddling. But this drama takes a well worn trope and gives it soul.

Amano Yashiro, a sweet and gentle boy, confesses his feelings to his childhood best friend, Nanahara Kenta, who gently rejects him, saying he likes girls. Soon after, Yashiro gets into an accident and finds himself before Kamisama, a god who (true to the title) plays favorites. Granting Yashiro’s wish, Kamisama reincarnates him as a girl so he can finally be with Kenta.

But of course, love isn’t that simple.
Because on that same day, the real girl whose body Yashiro now inhabits,Tendou Kagura, had also wished to be “anyone but herself.” Add Rin, who starts falling for Yashiro’s new form, and you’ve got a story that beautifully tangles identity, affection, and the essence of love itself.


🌈 What Makes It Special

So many stories use the “love you in any form” trope as an easy answer. Kamisama no Ekohiiki doesn’t. It questions it.

If you fall in love with someone in another body, what exactly are you in love with? the soul, the body, or the memory of who they were?
If that body changes again, does your love remain, or fade with the face you knew?

This drama doesn’t pretend to have the answers , and that’s what makes it beautiful. It allows every character to stumble through their confusion, their yearning, their heartbreak.

Yashiro is impossibly kind, the sort of character you just want to protect.
Kenta starts as a charismatic “player” but reveals surprising warmth and vulnerability.
Rin shines with confidence and empathy, grounding everyone around her. She is supportive to all while yearning for love herself.
Kagura breaks your heart, a lost kid aching to be someone else, and finding meaning in the chaos.

And let’s not forget Kamisama himself! nosy, playful, but oddly gentle. And Ukon, his tiny Chihuahua companion (and unapologetic BL fan), who adds the perfect dose of humor.



🎭 Acting & Execution

Every actor delivers. The chemistry between all four leads is undeniable, and the body-swap performances are genuinely convincing, you can tell who’s “inside” each body just by the way they move or speak.

Sure, there are moments where the story could’ve been longer or deeper, but even so, it feels complete. It doesn’t waste a single minute of its short runtime.



💌 Final Thoughts

This show made me giggle, scream, cry, and occasionally just sit there, hugging my pillow, whispering “why is this so good?” It’s whimsical and heartfelt, light yet profound, the kind of drama that sneaks up on your emotions and refuses to let go.

For me, Kamisama no Ekohiiki isn’t about perfection in craft, it’s about connection. It’s that rare show that reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

✨ Rating: 10/10 (Subjective Perfection)
Because sometimes, the best stories aren’t the flawless ones, they’re the ones that find a home in your heart.

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So Unique, So Brilliant!!

When I started watching this series, It seemed like it was going to be good, and that we'd see a good tale taking place during the Joseon Dynasty ... but something happened along the way as each episode got you deeper and deeper into the story. The magic that Jun Ho, Se Young & Deok Hwa created was brilliant in every way. Se Young gives us such a great role as Deok Im, and Jun Ho showed what an unbelievable talent he truly is. His powerful performance steals every scene he's in.
The series itself is really in three parts, watching Price Yi San create the relationship with Deok Im, watching the king deal with a mental break down, and then the years that followed Yi San after he becomes the new king. Each story bleeds perfectly into the next chapter as you follow it through.
One thing that made this stand out to me was the death of San's grandfather, The King. Not just witnessing him die from dementia, which was unique enough, but watching the transfer of power from one King to the next. Cleaning out all the dead King's belongings, bringing in all new stuff to suit the incoming King. Normally we never see that happen, so it seemed rather interesting to watch. Deok Hwa, who usually plays an unlikeable character, was fantastic as the elder King, the grandfather.
Episode 12 is definitely the pinnacle episode of the entire series. From that point on, you need a seatbelt to stay strapped in for the rollercoaster ride that begins. As you go from episode 12 through 16 you just can't help being mesmerized by the great writing and acting ... and just when you think you have it all figured out, episode 17 happens. As the finale began, it takes you completely by surprise, not matching up with anything you anticipated. The first few minutes into it, I started to become somewhat disappointed and annoyed, watching all these hours just to lead up to this??? but that quickly changed, and the finale really delivered a powerful conclusion. The acting in this final episode is some of the finest you'll see.
Applause to a great great series. Extremely entertaining, worth watching again!

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The K-Drama that dragged me out of my K-Drama slump

My Rating: 9

Ep 1: interesting…
Ep 2 - 4: pfft HAHAHAHA 😂
Ep 5: I fainted 😂😅

What I liked about GMAW:
- Psychopath FL 😎
- OST sung by stray kids😆
- The chemistry arghhh my heart 🤣
- New concept!
- CGI (Compared to other fantasy K-Dramas)


The Dislikes:
- Story/Character setting kinda weird? (A Korean genie? Why?)
- Ibilis seems to be scared of everything and is too oblivious…

Reason for 9/10: the chemistry was so great, and it’s my first kdrama of 2025 as there weren’t any fun ones that caught my attention.

(To be edited for more review)

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