Reviews

Don't watch if you like vaguely fair or healthy relationships.

I came into this drama expecting a beautiful, funny and touching political romance story about a powerful, icy female lead and a green tea, pretend-weak male lead.
On the surface, this is true. The four praises I have for this drama are as follows:
1. The acting, especially from Hou Minghao, is incredible. Gulinazha does a great job as well with her dominant, elegant persona, but Hou Minghao is just on another level in my opinion. He expresses every emotion so beautifully, perfectly balancing subtlety and clarity. To be honest, he is the only reason why I wanted to watch this drama, and why I pulled through to the end.
2. The OST in this drama is beautiful, this might be one of the only dramas where I watched the intro fully each time, partly because I just love Hou Minghao's voice and partly because I didn't care about the actual story enough to be motivated to skip through. I also love the use of different instruments. The music in powerful scenes reminded me of war scenes in other dramas, which I really liked.
3. The cinematography and visuals of this drama are absolutely gorgeous, all of the bright colours, sweeping shots and breathtaking landscapes took my breath away at times. I especially loved the setting of the tea plantation.
4. This was an unexpected one, but the little information section at the end of some of the episodes were really unique and enjoyable. I loved how they included information about different aspects of tea and of Chinese culture.

Now, those are perhaps the only four enjoyable aspects of the drama for me. Other than that, this drama quickly became a chore to get through.
The first part, with Rong Shanbao saving Lu Jianglai's life, him losing his memory, and the husband selection, was the strongest part of my story. The characters were bright and vivid, and I felt that Rong Shanbao and Lu Jianglai had the most chemistry, and it is perhaps the only time when they are wholeheartedly working together, although obviously Rong Shanbao is taking advantage of Lu Jianglai's lack of memory.
After Lu Jianglai regains his memory, the story quickly goes downhill.

1. The story fails to properly explore the abusive family dynamic presented, instead continuing to idealise and praise the abusive matriarch after a glorified slap on the wrist. The only character that has a realistic, valid attitude towards her is also a villain who has done horrible things, and she's presented as a villain partly because she doesn't have sufficient empathy for her abuser, which she of course gains in the end.
2. Every single villainous sister is redeemed in the end, no matter how many horrible things they have done. Only exception to this rule is the fourth sister, who actually had a fulfilling and natural redemption arc.
3. Rong Shanbao is abusive and manipulative towards Lu Jianglai, and this is portrayed as of love. She constantly disrespects him, treats him like dirt underneath her feet, uses him as a tool to achieve her goals, lies to him to put his livelihood in danger for no reason, is frustratingly hypocritical in putting everything else before him, and allows everyone around her to disrespect him. This is never ever addressed by the story as Rong Shanbao has no flaws.
4. The story is ultimately boring, childish, mundane and cowardly. It refuses to show Rong Shanbao in any difficult situation and does logical gymnastics to make every hard scenario that she's in actually just a phase of her genius masterplan. The only entertainment you can get towards the end of the story is trying to guess what her plan this time is.
5. The ending of the story is horrible, feels like a completely different drama that was squished into 6 episodes and smashed onto the end of this one without any regard for the preexisting characters, all because the story realises that it has spent so long focusing on Rong Shanbao and neglecting Lu Jianglai despite him being the more sympathetic and likeable character.

Please don't waste your time on this drama, the political and melodramatic elements are cardboard-like and lacking any consequences, villainous characters either take too long to receive punishment or are undeservingly redeemed, and the romantic storyline is glorified manipulation and abuse.

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kinda disappointed so far

soo, i really like sunrok as a character and also relate to him a lot, but he doesn't seem the right person for yumi
i know its probably a cultural thing but all the drama that yumi had with him on the first few episodes seems a lot for me and doesn't make sense, for the first time i almost didn't stand yumi's character (probably because i took it personal as i really relate to sunrok)
also, i think the age gap is being overlooked in other people's opinions, which is also another thing that makes me uncomfortable about the story right now
finally i really hate juho's character a lot i almost drop the drama so i really hope it gets better on the last two episodes

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buena pero no mejor que la 1

creo que tuve una relación amor/odio con Babi, es verdad que desde que era totalmente ambiguo (incluso con novia) con sus intenciones hacia Yumi no me dio buena espina, conforme avanzó la trama y pude conocerlo más me cayó mejor, sólo para caerme mal de nuevo xd

es ilógico pensar que Yumi no tendría inseguridad de Da Eun por los diversos factores que la rodeaban
- la actitud de Babi con Yumi desde que Babi tenía novia
- la actitud de Babi con Yumi aunque Yumi tenía novio
- relación a distancia
- exceso de amabilidad de Babi
- problemas sin resolver de Yumi respecto a que le fueron infiel en una relación anterior

desde el principio creí que no funcionaría, al igual que Yumi, y al final no funcionó, aunque Babi era sumamente supportive, comprensivo y directo, los factores que afectaban a la relación pudieron más

la trama es muy real porque realmente me pareció relatable todo lo que hizo Yumi, probablemente también lo habría hecho yo (aunque probablemente yo habría caído de nuevo por Wung)

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will there be a s2

The ending of the series was undeniably a cliffhanger, and I must say it left me both intrigued and frustrated. I absolutely loved the journey throughout the series, but the final moments raised so many questions that I just can't shake. The way the plot unfolded, with its intricate character arcs and thrilling twists, kept me on the edge of my seat. However, what was that ending all about? It felt like a rollercoaster ride that suddenly stopped right before the big finale.

One detail that particularly caught my attention was the red in the guy's eyes. This seems to imply that the story is far from over. It has me wondering whether the threat posed by the girigo is still looming large. If there was ever a moment that screamed for a continuation, this was it! The tension built throughout the season suggests that the creators have left things purposefully unresolved, which can be quite maddening for viewers who are invested in the characters and their fates.

The series had done an excellent job of building its world and characters, each with their struggles and complexities. I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them, and now the uncertainty about their future is almost unbearable. The unresolved issues and the potential for further conflict make it seem like there's no way the creators would leave it at this cliffhanger without planning for a second season.

I believe it's safe to say that fans like myself are eagerly awaiting news about Season 2. The promise of more twists, character development, and resolutions to the many open threads in the plot is something that I can’t wait for. It’s clear that there’s so much more to explore, and I truly hope the creators recognize that their audience is hungry for more. After such an intense build-up, it would be a disservice to leave the storyline hanging like this. Here’s hoping for a continuation that elaborates on these lingering questions!

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sí, vale la pena ver esto

lo empecé a ver por recomendación de una amiga, mucho tiempo después de estar procrastinando hacerlo, finalmente me decidí cuando ya estaba por estrenarse Yumi Cells 3

a pesar de que amo lo predictivos que son los kdramas en general, este me sacó de mi zona de confort pues pasaban cosas que no me esperaba y hay pequeños skits donde me comí enteramente la trama solo para ver que era parte de la imaginación de los protagonistas

la forma en la que es más real respecto a cómo se llevan las relaciones, y sumamente relatable en cómo solemos pensar las cosas, a veces contradiciendonos es sumamente divertida porque las células lo hacen impecable

realmente vale la pena verlo y seguramente haré rewatch

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It's Quite Fun to Watch

The World of My 17 is about Oh Nari and her group of friends, consisting of the goddess beauty Nari, the pure and innocent girl Yeji, and the idol trainee Mirae. They experience their first year of high school with many stories, laughter, and tears, but one thing is for sure: their friendship will stay strong.

It's a cute and quite funny web drama. The plot feels more like a montage of events rather than a continuous story to me. Every cast member has a strong character, so it's fun to watch their interactions. The introduction of the cast in the early episodes feels rushed, though, especially for someone like me who hasn't read the webtoon. The pacing and resolution also have some problems. But it's still an enjoyable watch to spend free time on.

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“The moon is beautiful tonight.”

A series written and scripted by women. It deals with the problems and judgments they face. All in a melancholic atmosphere. Zhang Jingyi plays an ordinary, courageous teenager who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, following her role as an agile and assertive warrior princess in Legend of Zang Hai. She and Zhou Yiran bring great strength to their characters, who are determined in their own way without being exuberant. Their actions speak for themselves. Overall, this is not a hypocritical series that raises issues without really addressing them.

It is clear how devastating it can be to hide the truth from your children. And how essential education about sexual and emotional health is. This should not be up for debate. Lives are at stake.

The two main characters come from different backgrounds and repeatedly give the adults the opportunity to explain themselves, to make amends for their mistakes and their silence, but to no avail. They consider themselves untouchable and well-meaning. It is not a question of means. The parents do not consider their children to be fully-fledged human beings with needs and rights. Sadly commonplace. With their backs against the wall, forced to reveal the truth, the two protagonists are told that the violence comes from them. Family comes first. Suffer in silence.

Bullying, people distancing themselves, unfair rumors... these are difficult moments to deal with. When you've been through it, it's always a challenge. In the world we live in, there is only one solution : to collectively take responsibility for saying stop. Individual courage doesn't make a difference ; it has to be collective. But the thing is, most people see no point in taking action when they're not directly affected. And so the cycle continues. The series shows this very clearly : there is no excuse for people who saw and knew but said nothing. And if the victim rebels against the injustice they suffer, they are punished. Even our death doesn't satisfy our tormentors ; the harassment continues.

Xiao Beiyu went through so many things that could have been avoided. And there's nothing we can do for her ; we can only watch helplessly as her life is pieced together by her little sister. Some parents have children because they can't have dogs, as they say. Beiyu's video testimony does not excuse them for their behavior and how they treated her while she was alive and killed her a second time by hiding the reasons for her death. Being kind for three days does not make up for a lifetime.

Qingyu's father appears unassuming at first, but the more we get to know him, the more we realize his malicious position as the good family man. Always there to maintain the patriarchal order without taking responsibility for it, hiding behind his wife and family decisions. His honor as patriarch takes precedence over the well-being and dignity of his daughters. You can present it however you want, but that's what remains in the end.
And then, when he tries to confide in his daughter, he talks about himself and himself alone. And we're supposed to offer him redemption because he understands that his daughter is dancing in secret and he doesn't say anything instead of forbidding it... Doing nothing is a small price to pay. The men in this series, my God, they make you want to resort to violence... especially cousin Jinrui.
As for the mother, we're in gray territory. It's hard to forgive her, and yet she does what she can to survive. The actress delivers a phenomenal performance.

The little brother and friends, together, supporting each other, helping each other, and listening to each other, they are the light that this world needs and undoubtedly does not deserve. Ming Sheng, always there, ready to do anything for others without expecting anything in return, he has a kind heart.

In short, exceptional character writing.

Ps : The surgeon father is in a relationship with a nurse who is barely ten years older than his son. Let's talk about that.
Ps2 : All those men waiting for Qingyu outside her high school are embarrassing. Do they think they're Jerry Seinfeld ?
Ps3 : Justice for Mumu !
Ps4 : Thanks to this series, I finally understand why Chinese productions associate couples with the moon.

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Are you serious ? Transgender people don't become transgender because of childhood trauma. What is this nonsense ? And all this talk about gender dysphoria, frankly, I'd rather not say anything... well, actually, yes : psychiatrists are not allies, no one needs their bogus diagnoses to know who they are.
I'm not putting this under a spoiler alert because I'd rather warn about the transphobic clichés that await the comrades concerned.

Other than that, it could have been an interesting crime series. I watched it to the end, so it wasn't that bad. Season 2, however, will be without me. The hero lies to his wife and his team, and we're supposed to feel sorry for him. It irritates me.

Jeong I-Shin/Ko Hyun-Jung did nothing wrong.

"It is the police's job to save lives." Come on, let's all laugh together : hahaha !

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Sets, costumes, music. It's standard for Chinese dramas, meaning very high quality. The fights are superb, with all the swirling fabrics and blades slicing through the air. And then killing by piercing the body with wires is inventive and very beautiful visually. (My God, what am I saying ?) The first two episodes follow a frenetic pace, after which things calm down a bit, but it maintains its framing, slow motion, high-energy inserts, mini-flashbacks, etc. (Long-focus close-ups, on the other hand, are still illegal. Forbidden !) The most frenzied conspiracy in history. And the editing doesn't give you a second's respite. Great art.

There is virtually only one woman in this world, the fierce Zhong Xueman, but on the other hand there are many men obsessed with Xiao Beiming, the “wanted detective”. Men who are extremely devoted or willing to do anything to find him and prove that he is not dead, lost as they are in imagining him gone. Lost to the point of dreaming about him, in a friendly way, of course. These Chinese dramas and their queer baiting are trying; we suspect that they can't do any more, but still, it's trying. Do or do not.

Xiang Hanzhi, aka Xueman, looks very young, and it's quite strange to see a character like hers evolve in this world of men as an equal. That said, the actress is very good in her role as an invincible fighter.

The Mission Impossible-style masks are brilliant ! And very practical. They quickly abandon them, too. You never know what to do with them. Apart from that, the humour is sparse but always effective; we would have liked to see more of these scenes.

There are some minor oddities worth noting, such as Xiao Beiming, who is too ill to move in one episode, then jumps in to save his friends in the next ; and at one point he has to hide or risk being identified and put in prison, but ends up walking around freely among the crowd. Quantum camouflage. Then, when he is taken prisoner, he walks around everywhere with his hands cuffed, but he gives instructions to his former fellow inspectors, which is funny. In France, we have a former president (a scumbag) who was sentenced to wear an electronic tag to avoid rotting in prison like everyone else, but because it annoyed him and he didn't respect any of the restrictions (being at home after 10 p.m.), the courts decided to take it away. Take a leaf out of his book, Xiao Beiming.

It's a shame about the slump in the middle, as episodes 17-18 are more like summaries of the story than anything else. After that, it picks up again, at its own pace, with numerous reminders of where we are in the investigation. So this is not a series to binge-watch, as I did. The series loses momentum towards the end. What a shame. I was a huge fan of the first half.

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(TW: this series deals with sexual assault, alcoholism and domestic violence.)

Jeong-woo's courage and patience, though. Everyone condemned him and no one will ever apologise. Then his ‘friends’ don't help him, cowardly and sneaky. It makes me so angry to see their behaviour. The total lack of guilt on the part of the perpetrators is infuriating. I was drawn to the hero's determination. That's the real crux of this series, his determination to prove his innocence, so much so that the background of the characters who take his side is barely mentioned and not exploited at all.
The first episode is exemplary in its abrupt narration; the rest really takes its time, it's too long, far too long. For example, we get a piece of evidence to understand what happened ten years earlier and for an entire episode, it's just there, nothing is done with it, no one studies it. Eight episodes instead of 14 would have worked much better.

Next: the portrayal of autism. Frankly, I'm fed up with it. We're always reduced to circus freaks in perpetual crisis. Here, on top of that, he's some kind of dangerous madman. I'm really sick of it. Maybe one day we'll get a real, honest portrayal, namely a poor, isolated person, nothing spectacular, which is what most of us are, and not a rich kid with his own little painting studio and a dead body in his basement. Pfff.

Kim Bo-ra gives yet another good performance, still with a slight resemblance to Shelley Duval. In episode 7, one inspector asks another if the actress (he calls her by her real acting name, not her character's name) is more popular than Choi Na-gyeom, a character in the series; a strange joke, even sexist... it must have been improvised, I imagine.

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It's not impossible that all the lights in my flat were on and that my cat ended up in my arms during the first two episodes. Me ? scared ? Not at all. When faced with this kind of story, you have to tell yourself one thing : if ghosts existed, there would be hundreds of thousands of them per square meter. We'd spend all our time getting rid of them.

The “ignore them, don't talk to them” thing reminded me of King's The Dark Tower, the Vaadasch, the journey from one world to another. The people around us don't know we're there, but they sense us and can become threatening or even deadly if they spot us. Things are going to go badly.
Anyway.

The discreet, cold music reinforces the emotional impact and this rather original vision of the afterlife. A terribly sad atmosphere. In the bus episode, we know what's going to happen, which makes it even more depressing to watch. Silence also plays a major role.

A very beautiful series, admirably well written, particularly thanks to its twist on fear. The ending is heartbreaking. And the poor dog, we can say, was a good girl.

“You must find the light.”

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Highly improbable situations, but it's always good to steal from the rich, steal from these thieves. In reality, their little game doesn't work for a second because these rich people already talk to each other, and because their tiny world works by co-optation, it's impossible to integrate into it. Comrades, you will never be rich.

Park Min Young plays her character in such a chaotic way, because she is so devilishly manipulative, that you never know what to expect, and that's what keeps you watching the series despite its grotesque plot twists. She stresses me out a little with her frozen smile that says "checkmate".

Why isn't actress Kim Bo-ra playing the character named Kim Bo-ra ? If it was a reference, I didn't get it.

A "IQ of 167" is still not proof of intelligence. IQ has no scientific basis. Screenwriters : stop. Or else do your little IQ tests among yourselves. The fault lies with the Japanese author, obviously, because 'Confidence Queen' is a remake of 'The Confidence Man JP'. I didn't know that. It's the opposite of Park Min-young's previous K-drama, 'Marry My Husband'. (not seen)

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