Reviews

I LOVE IT!!!

I loved this so much. I’m not normally a fan of historical drama, but this one might have changed that.

Although lots of people didn’t, I loved the mix of comedy, romance and action. Even though I did get confused with the king and stuff, I understood it later on lol.

I was drawn in from the start, I didn’t find one bit boring and I loved most of the characters.

At first I didn’t like Dongju just because I didn’t like she deserved Nokdu, but she redeemed herself later in my opinion.

I tried to not share any spoilers and I hope you agree with me. :)

Read More

Similar to US tv show Jane the Virgin, FL was artificially inseminated

I was in the mood for Aorigele dramas so I decided to watch this drama. I had low expectation but wow I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this drama.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - I loved her because there was character growth. At the start, she was mousy and insecure but she slowly learned to trust her judgements & convictions.
2. ML characterisation - He was so sweet. I liked that he was a nice boss and didn't easily cave into family pressure.
3. Romance - Very sweet. I loved it when ML directly told FL that he was pursuing her.
4. Styling - Wonderful pieces selected for FL as you can see outfits that match varying stages of transformation. ML's outfits were great too. Plain white t-shirt was the highlight for me.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - SFL was a delusional b!tch who think ML was her possession. There was also another entitled ass who was condescending towards FL. I was delighted when both were punished. I disliked FL's father who was money-hungry scumbag. He too got punished.
2. Nails - OMG, so many raptor nails in the drama: delusional b!tch, entitled b!tch and even a gynaecologist. Having long fingernails for work at hospital just did not make sense.

Favourite scene
When ML told FL that he's pursuing her

Read More

It's about the soft and fluffy love, not the life in danger

This is show is all about the feel-good soft mushy love between In and Thap, so have your expectations set from the start. The plotline might sound serious but it is quite simple and the show is not really plot-driven. In fact, the plotline exists only to drive forward the blossoming romance between the main characters. With that being said, the lead actors carry the whole show with their fantastic chemistry* and acting while the support actors do a good job of driving forward the story.

Since this show is not plot-heavy but rather focuses on the relationship between the main characters, it could have been very easy to turn into a train wreck. Thankfully, each character has a purpose in the story and the writing is very clear that it wants to focus on romance instead of juggling between a suspense thriller and romantic comedy. The actors understood their characters and executed their roles flawlessly.

I rate it a 7.5 rating instead of 8 because judging from the trailer and the synopsis, I thought it would be a lot more deeper when it comes to the whole life-in-danger plotline. Even though I was a bit mislead by that, the show was still fun to watch. Short-and-sweet is the phrase for it, I suppose.

*Some of the romantic dialogues had me cringing so hard I have no idea how the actors managed to pull them off with a straight face.

Read More

Not a BL

This was a frustrating watch. Coming off of Gun and Off's others series it was really disappointing. It wasn't really a bl series. More like a bunch of work colleagues and their day to day work life.

Characters:

Ryan - He barely spoke. He just stared a lot and didn't really do much. He just kind of went with the flow and did what anyone asked him to without any fight. He especially let Jane walk all over him. He kept referring to older people as adults. Dude is in college. He is an adult, but he acted more like a freshman in high school. The whole not knowing your feelings is over used in a lot of bl's and I was sad to see it here as well.

Jane - He was an a hole for the most part. Selfish and confusing. He strung Ryan along by playing into the interns crush on him, but never really admitting his feelings back. He kept telling Ryan he could ask him anything, however dude barely ever answered any of the questioned. He would disappear and not answer texts, then wonder why Ryan was mad at him or 'sulking'. Then one little line to stroke Ryan's ego and dude is smiling at Jane like a little school girl. It was so frustrating to watch.

Pie and Pat were great! I loved them both. I honestly wish there had been more of them and less of the other characters.

Tae and Ba-Mhee - I could take or leave them. Their relationship was on the toxic side. Tae was a walking man baby and Ba-Mhee was his mother. She cheats on him when he isn't giving her attention, by kissing her mentor and developing 'feelings' for her and then proceeds to 'apologize' and tell Tae all the ways it was his fault. They break up and the mentor treats BM like she's been treating Tea and BM is like 'nope' and goes back to Tae. I honestly fast forwarded most of their scenes.

The ex (Jane's) story was stupid and not needed. It didn't serve anything except to make Ryan jealous and feel insecure. The dude steals Ryan's work and Jane's answer is to disappear and not respond to Ryan at all for I don't even know how long. Then when he does show up again it's to tell Ryan that he's going to Hong Kong for the foreseeable future and to make sure Ryan isn't mad at him for it. And of course the door mat that is Ryan's character says no he's not and he's supportive. So maybe long distance relationship??? Nope, Jane leaves and doesn't contact Ryan for FIVE F N YEARS. Then walks back in like king crap and Ryan is again a door mat. No kiss or anything. The End.

So to sum up this BL series. No one dates except Tae and Ba-Mhee. There is maybe 2 kisses in the whole show and ones a good bye kiss. There is not relationship between the main characters at all except mentor and intern. It was a waste of time in my opinion if you are looking for a romance.

EXCEPT - all the actors were awesome. I wish they had more to go on, but they did what they could with what they had. I think Gun was wasted in this role as he really didn't do much except stare at people with either annoyance or deer caught in headlights. It's a bummer because I was so looking forward to another awesome series by Gun and Off, but it was a miss.

Read More

I was honestly intrigued by the premise of the drama, which is why I decided to give it a try.. It wasn’t all bad, there were some nice parts, especially how the so called husband comes back after being killed and the curiosity around how they would explain that situation.. But overall it’s a drama I wouldn’t have regretted skipping.. I couldn’t connect with the characters because they felt bland and for most of the drama nothing happens.. It drags on slowly.. While the story had interesting elements, it never felt engaging.. That said it’s still an easy and quick watch, though the twists and turns become predictable after just two episodes.. I stuck with it to see how they would wrap things up but the ending was far from satisfying..

The mystery elements aren’t inherently bad.. With sharper writing and the right execution, it could have been brilliant.. Unfortunately, here they feel careless and wasted.. Yamashita Mizuki delivered a good performance while Hagiwara Riku often felt like a newcomer still learning the ropes, which is disappointing considering he isn’t exactly a newbie..

Major spoiler..

I don’t think she actually killed the real Mana.. It’s more about the guilt of losing the only person who truly cared for her, even though there was nothing she could have done to prevent it..

Overall, an average watch.. The drama had potential but it didn't click for me.. It's a shame because I thought I could have liked it much more given the mystery element was interesting.. By the end, it’s clear the ML has feelings for the FL.. I just wish they had given a proper conclusion to their story at least.. Sadly, the final episode and overall conclusion were quite unsatisfying..

Read More

Finally some good fucking food

There's a part of me that escapes 'good tv.' Every day, I'm tired from working my five jobs, my many other obligations, and all I want to do is veg out and fry my brain with stupid tv. It's why I end up plowing through so many silly romance transmigration xianxias with .5 substance. But the legendary Legend of Zhen Huan director, Zheng Xiaolong coming out with a revenge political intrigue drama starring Xiao Zhan? Say less.

I had forgotten how good nutritious food tastes. I had forgotten that a complete meal includes a protein, fiber and carb. I'd been gorging myself on candy for so long, I had actually forgotten that food that is good for you... just tastes good!!!! Wow when something is well shot, well written and well acted it's good??? The restraint, the absolute trust and belief they have in the intelligence in their audience, respect towards the material, the emotional depth... amazing! Even just something like NOT putting every character’s name and title next to them when they appear for the first time, letting the audience learn who that person is by telling a STORY makes a massive difference. Or like, not forcing a song with lyrics into the sad scenes, and letting them sit in silence instead. Zang Hai honest to god tricked ME multiple times making me think he was showing his honest emotions (jail cell scene w Houye immediately comes to mind) but of course it was another plot! Not overcrowding the audience with information like, see?? This is what xyz means and what Zang Hai is ACTUALLY doing, and instead just naturally showing it so you can figure it out yourself. Good tv is just good tv. I knew I could trust Zheng Xiaolong, but the entire production team and cast really knocked it out of the park! There are just some scenes that are going to live rent free in my mind forever purely because of how well the story is told, such as Zang Hai emerging from the tomb, Houye saving Zang Hai in the fire, the entire failed coup and Houye vs ZZX, Shi Quan's betrayal, that shot of Antu running to Zang Hai emerging from the cave smiling and the feeling of release, freedom, gratitude!! I could go on and on, but it is seriously just so well done.

I don't even know where to begin. There are definitely some flaws in the plot and some of the characters are a bit disappointing, but if I could describe this drama simply?? 精彩。 太精彩了！It's exciting, always keeps you on the edge, interesting, complex, emotional, it really has it all. The plot builds really wonderfully, I'd honestly say the first 20 episodes are an absolute 10/10, no notes, chef's kiss. Seeing Zang Hai get himself into and out of sticky situations, improvising and thinking on his feet are extremely enjoyable. The parts that are fast paced are exciting, the parts that are slow feel meaningful with great pay off. The emotional beats were so strong and didn’t feel overly manipulative of the audience, but just genuinely human. I cried absolute buckets when Zang Hai dreamed of his family and when Gao Ming died. Like heaving sobs. Honestly I have so little words because it was just well done. The final 20 episodes are still great plot wise, but certain things are rushed like the trip to Dongxia, and there are parts where you kind of have to suspend disbelief based on how people are acting. For ex. Zang Hai just taking the Dongxia queen's word that she was besties w his dad and not requiring further proof.

There's something special about Zang Hai as a ML in a revenge drama, something that makes him far more similar to Zhen Xiaolong's Empress Zhen Huan than other famous man-centric revenge drama MLs. Zang Hai has no martial skill, but he also has no initial power outside of the masked man (to which he is just a pawn). Nirvana in Fire's Mei Changsu spent years building information networks of loyal spies and harnessed great power in the martial world before entering the court. Zang Hai is not a fallen general seeking revenge, or a forgotten prince, or the son of a grand noble family. Zang Hai doesn't move through the ranks and eventually win because he had power or martial skills, but rather through his brain and his words alone. His survival is entirely dependent on Pingjin Hou's favor, he understands that man inside and out and knows exactly how to appeal to him. Zang Hai created a persona tailor made to appeal to Houye’s ego- an extremely loyal, useful tool who kneels half the time and demeans himself with every word. I rarely see this in a man-centric political intrigue show, the concept of ‘saving face’ wouldn’t allow it, but I frequently see these moves from concubines in the harem. Zang Hai is smart, but he's also stupid and thoughtless at times, he miscalculates, he's extremely reckless, and impulsive in a way that reminds me of YXGL's Wei Yingluo, he trusts the wrong people, he gambles with his own life constantly, and sometimes, he doesn't even have a back up plan. He doesn't feel like an omniscient all powerful 10 steps ahead kind of mc. He's scrappy, claws to the top and is flawed in a way that makes him human and this is sooooo refreshing. It makes the tension so much more palpable, the show is so exciting because there are real stakes!! Despite that protagonist halo, sometimes, you just don't know if he's going to make it!! And even if he does make it there are heavy losses!! It's also just so fun to see him put on a different mask with Pingjin Hou, with Zhuang Zhixing, Antu, the emperor, etc. etc. Major props to Xiao Zhan for pulling it off. I feel safe saying that he’s officially made his mark as an actor known for his craft, rather than just his looks!

I enjoy his character arc a lot too, and am so thankful that despite getting to a really dark place, thinking of himself as already dead and wanting to die, he ultimately appreciated the love that he had around him and chose to live for himself. Retiring and getting to live out the rest of his life in peace and freedom is an ending I wanted but could never receive from Zhen Huan and Nirvana in Fire. It's a true testament to the themes of this show and something I deeply appreciate about it. We began with a corrupt system and ended with that very same system, just new players. The emperor was a pathetic, reluctant, foolish tyrant, and the new one continues to display the same tyrannical, and selfish traits, albeit more determined. The corrupt cabinet and ministers are still profiting while the common people suffer. And Zang Hai was like, fuck that, I'm not gonna change this, I'm getting out of here and living for myself LMAOOO. I love that although Zang Hai is just and does whatever is within his capabilities to help people, he recognizes that there is a boundary to what he can do to change the corrupt system. 'How do you know that the emperors after you will never use the Guixi?' There is no way to fix the system! Something that I can really trust Director Zheng with! Something that Nirvana in Fire naively and almost irresponsibly showed was possible (replacing bad guys with good guys is truly so simplistic it boggles my mind that this show has the reputation it does sometimes), with a ML with grander, nobler ambitions than pure revenge, who literally then died to restore his former masculinity and nationalistic pride. While Zang Hai found the only true liberation from the system- leaving it. His only goal was revenge, the methods didn't matter, and he didn't need to personally do the killing either, as long as it was done, he could leave everything behind, no matter any appeals to his morality. It's an ending that is far more realistic and refreshing, and also kind to its ML- who deserves a break! I'm also thankful for the anti- imperialist message, with Zhao Bingwen wanting to make an army out of Dongxia laborers a clear colonial project. A lot of shows I've watched recently have an uncomfortable... uhhh One China vibe that are all like, let's take over all these other lands and live in harmony together and share the wealth!!! Which is straight up just imperialist propaganda lmao. All in all, the themes of the show are very much appreciated.

The other characters are all generally quite complex and multifaceted. I loved Pingjin Hou and found him a perfect villain. An absolutely corrupt patriarch whose love is entirely conditional upon how much use that person is to him. But he had reason and depth, an incredible presence that made him someone I couldn't help but like and empathize with despite being an irredeemably bad person. Zhuang Zhixing is so well written too, and the weird whatever is going on between between him-Houye-Zang Hai triangle is sooooooo fascinating. ZZX wanting love and acknowledgment from his father whom he hates... ZZX simultaneously admiring Zang Hai and wanting his care to be real and resenting him ..... ZZX being jealous of both Houye and Zang Hai for their relationship to each other..... Zang Hai playing the role of a strict teacher-father with ZZX and a deferential loyal dog closer than any son to Houye…. ZZX turning around and asking that Zang Hai serve him the way he served his dad then hitting a tree when Zang Hai rejects him LMAOOO. Honestly chefs kiss for this complex relationship. The resentment tied so tightly with love and admiration!!! ZZX’s childlike petulance and dented masculinity because he can’t measure up to his father!!! The inferiority complex!!!!! This is my shit!!!!! I love this shit!!!!!! The entire Zhuang family kind of just does it for me, like I truly love a despicable conniving noblewoman like Jiang Xiang, and simple idiot Zhuang Zhifu. They got exactly as they deserved for playing a part in a corrupt feudal patrilineal system- but they were still compelling characters worthy of sympathy. I even teared up at how Houye cast them aside once they were not only of no use to him, but ruined the image of the Zhuang family. In the end, I’m still a harem drama girly at my roots, so naturally I enjoyed the family arc a lot.

The greatest weaknesses character wise for me were Xiang Antu and Zhao Bingwen :( Antu was really great for the first twenty episodes, and it isn’t like she doesn’t have depth or complexity, but she absolutely becomes sidelined in the last quarter as just Zang Hai’s gf and bodyguard. It’s kind of wild when she was Boss Xiang not too long ago with a whole network of spies and people working for her, and somehow none of this is useful when Zang Hai is fighting ZBW? Zang Hai died and she was just hanging around while Gao Ming drugged him?? She started out the show as a powerful player and ends up just supporting her man which is a disappointment. In most man-centric shows this is how it goes for the FL but I would’ve really liked to see them break the mold. The other disappointment was ZBW… like…. Wow, honestly what a let down?? All this build up for the 3rd enemy and it’s this guy with negative charisma, not nearly enough development or backstory or insight into his reasoning? Just a power hungry psycho who wants to genocide everybody because the world is bad??? If there were even just… three more episodes for him I might’ve felt more satisfied, or maybe if the actor playing him was different?? I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong, I’d love to be proven wrong. If someone can give me a reason why Zhao Bingwen is a great villain, I’m happy to listen. Like am I missing something??? At the end of the day, Pingjin Hou is the villain that holds the most weight, has the most impact on the story and the emotional beats, and is the most human. His relationship with Zang Hai is also the most interesting and multi-faceted. The amount of care and attention both Zang Hai and the narrative put into him compared to the other villains is also really clear. So something feels off when he dies two thirds of the way into the show and we’re left with uhhh everyone else.

All in all, it’s been a very, very long time since I’ve given a show a near perfect score. Zang Hai Zhuan comes pretty damn close. The flaws are a bit annoying, but don’t have much impact on the overall effect of the show for me- powerful, refreshing, unforgettable!! Xiao Zhan the KING!!! Zheng Xiaolong the GOAT!!! Thank you for feeding me delicious protein. I finally have the strength and inspiration to go on.

Read More

- Wu Yi Re Jun Xin (2025) on MDL
aka: No Intention to Offend You (2025) on https://chinesemov.com is a cute romance fantasy miniseries set on historical times with Yi Hang (as Crown Prince Li Ting Yiang) and Chu Xia (as Crown Princess Ling Xiu) in the leading couple’s role. The cast did a nice job bringing their characters to life and the lead couple had a cute chemistry.
In the meantime, this drama can be found in YouTube under the caption: “【Full Version】I only wanted to divorce the crown prince, but he fell more and more in love with me!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXvr-g1Swso)
Or: “【完整版】一航&初夏《无意惹君心》可爱作精王妃✖冷峻恋爱脑太子，女孩为了回家救母，开启休夫大业，骚操作不断，纯情太子自我攻略，日益沦陷！#短剧 #完結 #蔓蔓書屋 #大结局” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTuxVZ53GKI)

Read More

not my kind of genre : juvenile humor- watch the awkward insecure girl & laugh

It makes me sad to not like this & i want to support Korean content on Netflix, but this made me want to quit only 10 minutes in. My problem is that this is not my kind of drama. High school is a hard pass for me. The angst, the awkwardness, the whole mentality, the fact that you can't really have a satisfying romance with a satisfying conclusion because; it's high school ! I tried to like this, but it got me cringing at the humor & when the female lead starts to pursue her crush, you know she's going to make a fool of herself & we are supposed to laugh. Again, this kind of humor is a hard pass for me. I've got other dramas I will enjoy better

Read More

OBNOXIOUS CHINESE DRAMA

I loved zhao lusi in hidden love and other dramas, but hate when she acts as a subservient lap dog and gets insulted left right and center!

If i had an obnoxious mother treating my GF poorly, i will not hesitate to beat the shit outta my mom, PERIOD!

HORRIBLE AMAETURISH CRINGEWORTHY CLICHÉD DRAMA AND THE MALE LEAD LOOKS LIKE HER GRANDPA

ZHAO LUSI IS A DESPICABLE CHARACTER IN THIS DRAMA, VICIOUS, DEVIOUS, EVER LYING ORANGUTAN! HOPE THINGS DONT END WELL FOR HER

THAT UGLY DOOR MAT HUSBAND IS SUDDENLY BECOMING NOT SO DOORMAT! ATTA VOMIT?? AND THE EVER LYING BITCH ZHAO LUSI IS WORRIED THAT HER HUSBAND IS CHEATING ON HER , OMFG CHINESE ARE ABSOLUTE IGNORAMUS NINCOMPOOPS

THESE CHINESE NINCOMPOOPS ARE MUCH WORSE THAN LATIN AMERICANS AND SHIT INDIANS WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SHIT DRAMA

Read More

Love, Loyalty, and Betrayal — A Drama That Refused to Be Boring

From the very first episode to the thirty-ninth, not a single moment dragged. The power struggles between the royals and the influential figures were gripping—sharp, emotional, and full of tension.

The male lead is one of those actors who doesn’t rely on exaggerated expressions. He plays it cool, subtle—but when he does show emotion, it hits hard. His rare smile? Melts hearts. You just want more of that quiet fire behind his eyes.

The female lead is already a well-known powerhouse, especially in costume dramas. She doesn’t usually dive deep into romantic scenes—maybe a brief hug here, a gentle kiss there—but it’s part of her charm. She carries herself with restraint and grace, letting emotion speak louder than touch.

This drama never once bored me. Every twist kept me guessing—who would rise, who would fall, who would betray. The royal princess, though, stole the show for me. She was ruthless, calculating, and fierce—a woman who knew exactly what she wanted, no matter the cost. Once her backstory unraveled, her bitterness made sense. You almost can’t blame her for the choices she made.

Even the side stories had weight and heart. Everything tied together beautifully… until the last episode.

Ah yes—Episode 40.
That one left me torn.

The male lead sets off to quell an uprising after the prince’s failed coup. Before leaving, he plants a tree with the female lead and promises to return when it’s in full bloom. But the ending? It’s vague—painfully so. You see him surrounded by enemies after his loyal guards are killed. Then suddenly, the female lead runs to the tree… and he appears.

Was that reunion real, or just her dream? Did he die and return to her in spirit? The drama doesn’t say, and that open ending left my heart hanging.

According to the novel, they eventually have a child—but the drama doesn’t make clear if the child was born while he was away, or after he came back. I would’ve loved to see that closure onscreen.

Still, despite the uncertain ending, this drama was pure brilliance—emotionally charged, beautifully acted, and impossible to forget.

Read More

Strong women in the face of it all

I will keep spoilers out of the beginning of this review, but if you want to know if this is a happy or not happy ending, scroll to the last sentence of my review.

Great acting! But I didn't feel a connection between many of the characters (as in, feel the relationship between them) until about halfway through the drama. I kept watching because I loved how the main lead, Duanwu, kept being so strong in the face of everything, and seeing a woman struggle in the world of men (being blocked from being successful on her own) spoke to me. I admired her courage and persistence and really appreciated her character.

I really enjoyed the sibling relationship with Shrimp and Duanwu and thought that was the most realistic. The romance didn't feel as close and I wasn't feeling much of a connection between the main characters for a long time, until maybe the last story arc or so. Maybe it was just because I thought the male lead was heartless in the beginning and I couldn't understand how anyone could get past that horrible attitude.

Overall, the music was pretty good (except one track was kind of overdramatic and it even made me laugh out loud once), the sets were beautiful, the costumes were beautiful, and I thought the plot and premise was pretty interesting. However, the last episode seemed a little rushed, which is a bummer.

SPOILER:
If you want a super happy ending where everything is rainbows and puppies, don't watch this drama. I still think it was worth the journey.

Read More