Reviews

Please , Watch attentively!

I'm a total Cheng Yi fangirl, and I was SO excited for "The Journey of Legend." Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Even if you're not familiar with Cheng Yi, this show is seriously addictive. The story is full of twists and turns, with a strong female lead and a complicated, swoon-worthy male lead (played by Cheng Yi, of course!). It's got that perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and drama that keeps you hooked.

Now, I know there's been some negativity floating around, but honestly, give it a chance! What I loved most was how invested I got in the characters. You really feel for them as they go through all these trials and tribulations. Plus, the visuals are stunning! The costumes and scenery are just gorgeous, and they really bring the fantasy world to life. If you're looking for a series to binge-watch that will give you all the feels, "The Journey of Legend" is definitely worth checking out. Trust me, if you watch attentively, you'll get the plot, and you'll be hooked!

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Love & Revolution, anyone?

Dear Readers,

Let me preface this by saying, I am not the same person I was before I started watching this. No- like legitimately I was in the TRENCHES! The last two episodes were like machine guns going off - even till the end. The only fault I can highlight in the show, is the first episode, which felt overly convoluted. I think they should've spread the introduction of the characters instead of piling it up. The story-boarding for this production was amazing: everything from the pacing to the colouring really highlighted what each scene sets out to depict. I think because of that every character's emotions were amplified. I loved the set- design too for the news room which felt lived in and authentic of the time. I can tell they put in a lot of effort to the costumes and the hair designs - all of it places you in that time period.
Regarding the OST, some of the songs felt out of time and don't even get me started on the song Tanwa sang which honestly if you think about sounds like Scooby Doo. This was especially hard because Victor was actively dying.

Victor
Victor my love, Victor my sweet darling- you were gone too soon!!!!!!!! America was waiting and I was waiting.
Historically, the martyrs have always been the young and the charismatic, headstrong orators. His populist ideology though resonating with masses were not really achievable in the short period of his life. What's more depressing is that even though he is risking his life fighting on the front lines for the rights of the oppressed , his mix-race status still makes him an 'outsider'.
And this is the cruel reality this show captures well. His puppy love for Trin manifest in ebbs and flows through the conversations that essentially placed them on different sides of the same coin in their diversely inherent worldviews.

Sometimes when I mourn over Victor's death, I think it is because that he appears to me in the image of young Max Nattapol.

Trin/ Tanwa
Trin is a very 'polished' guy a complete 180 from who Tanwa is - which essentially is what drew them together. Trin is able to let shed a lot of his shell because of Tanwa. With his interactions with Victor he became more headstrong and understood the consequences of remaining stationery with the privilege. After interacting with his students and getting involved with the youth activists he began to realize the importance of his own position and the disillusionment of power.

Tanwa is a self- proclaimed hippie trying to escape from his own privilege. He's also so deeply depressed in a way that he doesn't even recognise how depressed he is. I think in a way he needed Trin to lead him out of that trance he constantly puts himself into. Tanwa's time stopped once his mother passed away and since then he's just been existing and constantly antagonising his dad. In my opinion, he should've antagonise his dad more! All this to say, Tanwa's a rich kid with a world of chances given him, yet its given to someone who wont seek out anything greater for others. This juxtaposition of Trin's status and privilege versus Victor's lack of, is depressing to say the least.

Krailert/Naran
Guys, love can bloom from within the pages of the newspaper!
Their story almost reads as a early 2000s romcom- minus the comedy and we are in the 60s. Everything is viewed through a rose colored (weed) lens yet the reality of the common people are drenched in fear and blood.

I really loved how the screenwriters introduced them. Naran, a man behind the camera, while Krailert, a man always in the headlines. Inadvertently, both start interacting through their differing opinions about music and its connections to current affairs. Their interest in each other both in real life and the interactions through the newspaper are both laced in with some hate. Every interaction between them is a dance of passion and antagonism. Though both parties are aware of their positions in society, they are willing to pursue a doomed relationship in hopes of achieving some freedom in their own ways. Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this relationship is watching these two people find each other during a turbulant time. In the moments they're together, they try their best to keep the outside from "leaking" in, but the outside finds a way. No matter how tightly sealed they can keep this relationship, reality is inevitable. Krailert's guilt feels so deep rooted when I watched him not fight back with Devhi. He wanted to repent and also keep Naran safe. I think Naran deep down also knew that they wouldn't find that freedom he talked about in that last note. I hope Trin told Naran about what happened instead of Naran believing that Krailert's wasn't brave enough to come to him. Trin also should've smuggled uncle out! Why would Trin say their room was beautiful, but also not try to do more for him? Fighting our own battles is great and all, but I feel like Krailert's ending is the most tragic. He's basically imprisoned for the end of his days.

Devhi, Veera (+Moira)
I understood Devhi's plight, but I don't understand her reactions to her reality. It was her who chose a prison of her own making. She chose to be with a man who will never like her back. She strives for his love, but both of them just end up hating each other more and more. She's trapping herself and him to have an ideal life that she thinks will make her happy. In this relationship, there's more hate than love. She thought Krailert would keep up the pretenses of being a married man, but he never does despite all she did to secure this marriage. What I don't understand more is how she didn't internalize how it felt to be liked by someone like Veera. Why would you want to go back to a marriage where you're not loved? Veera loved her even in hiding. Sadly, despite his love, Veera met such a harsh death. Veera's death mostly pushed her to a harsh reality where she finally realizes that she can continue to imprison herself and Krailert like she has done this entire time. Moira is the only perceptive character in the entire show. Moira knows all the secrets and tries to guide everyone towards a happier path. However, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Overall, it's a show worth watching, but make sure you don't have any pressing things to get through the next few days cause man, this show hurts like a bitch!

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I recommend this series

Okay, so as a HUGE Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo fan, I finally caved and watched "The Untamed," and OMG, I'm obsessed! Seriously, this show is more than just pretty faces (though, let's be real, they are a big draw 😉). The story sucked me right in with its mix of action, mystery, and these incredibly deep friendships. I found myself getting so invested in the characters and their struggles – laughing with them, crying with them, and yelling at the screen when they made questionable choices!

What really got me was the amazing chemistry between Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo. They just get their characters, and you can feel the connection between them. Plus, the whole world of cultivation is so beautifully created; the costumes, the sets, everything is just stunning. If you're looking for a show that will give you all the feels and leave you wanting more, trust me, "The Untamed" is it! You HAVE to watch it!

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Watch it all the way through before judging this one! (Don't skip or you may miss key plotpoints!)

This is my first cdrama and definitely still the best costume period cdrama in my opinion. The two main leads are gorgeous, and their natural acting and the lush visuals and production quality of the series is better than any other costume cdrama I've seen before and is what got me interested in watching cdramas in the first place.

This is not a conventional romance. It's about political intrigue first. There is a huge revenge arc for 2/3rd of the series but for the remaining half of the series, it is about fate and bad choices and star-crossed lovers who never seem to catch a break. The ending is a sad one but so meaningful for the protagonist and changes him for the better.

Liu Xueyi as Murong Jinghe steals every scene he shows up in and is in his best role yet as a sinister, unhinged, disillusioned prince. He looks amazing in period costume long hair and makeup and the camera seems to eat him up. He oozes a non-chalant sex appeal and the commanding presence of someone who is supremely confident in his abilities and his power over others.

Wu Jinyan matches him beat for beat as the assassin trained beauty, Meilin, who stands up to him and then beside him as his ally and ultimately as his partner. Her earnestness and willingness to die for her cause is both endearing and captivating and it's easy to see why Jinghe falls for her quickly. (She essentially plays the same personality as she does in The Double.)

The surprising thing about this series is there are hardly any plotholes but it took several rewatches for me to catch all the details. Jinghe is the narrator and if you listen to what he says, you can see what he is thinking, where the storyline is headed and a lot of perceived plotholes are actually explained. That's why I caveat that this is not a series you want to fast forward or else you'll quickly lose track of the plot! For example, how they go from trying to escape the crown prince to frolicking in laowozi village as a couple is ALL explained.

The only major plothole I could find is that the series never explains how Jinghe was able to disguise himself as the Momai Shadow Master without anyone ever finding out. Having the full back story to the Momai warriors and what happens to them when they get disbanded would have been nice. Also, it was just plain dumb to poison her without having a real antidote at the ready, even if he got what he deserved in the end for doing it.

Overall rating: 9.5/10.

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tive uma surpresa muito boa

acabei de ver esse e, tendo visto a versão coreana literalmente algumas horas antes, vou falar um pouco:

essa versão me pegou desde o primeiro episódio, a atriz da Reina é tão boa que me fez duvidar se ela realmente seria a vilã. eu assistiria tranquilamente 16 eps dessa versão e ainda pediria por mais.

eu adorei mais ainda esse final e pedido do que a versão coreana, eles fazendo exatamente as mesmas coisas que o Suzuki havia falado que queria fazer com a Misa.... nossa, eu simplesmente amei.

não posso falar mto da questão dos beijos e afeto pq eu gosto disso (sou fã de bl chinês cheio de censura, me acostumei a notar o amor apenas pelo olhar, o que é o caso deles. acho que foi muito fofo como elea construíram uma amizade aos poucos, sem se forçar nem nada, apenas sendo bons amigos (na versão coreana, não conseguia ver o ji-hyuk sendo apenas amigo da jiwon, mas aqui consigo ver o suzuki como um ótimo amigo e companhia)

acho que, a maioria das coisas, eu preferi essa versão. menos drama, mais realista e condizente a toda a história. surtei muito porque tem partes muito iguais a webtoon, coisa que me faltou na outra versão.

achei o suzuki menos intenso que o ji-hyuk, o que eu agradeci um pouco, na verdade. acho que deu mais espaço pra protagonista se apaixonar aos poucos e verdadeiramente. não foi uma mudança tão grotesta quanto a do ji-hyuk (amo ele, mas não dá pra falar que não foi, mesmo que eu tenha gostado)

a reina foi muito mais odiavel aqui, mas me deu mais pena dela aqui do que na outra versão. já o tomoya.... ele foi igualmente desprezível em todas as versões.

enfim, não acho que precise dizer mais que eu amei essa e acabou se tornando minha versão favorita (não sou acostumada com j-drama e, como já vi mais k-drama, a "fórmula" que usam ao longo dos episódios às vezes me irrita um pouco e faz perder a graça). essa versão conseguiu me surpreender demais

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Copycat May Kill, but Go Hyun Jung Slays

If you tell me a story about a killer mom roped in to catch a copycat, I am already intrigued. Tell me Go Hyun Jung is playing her, and I am clearing my schedule. It is a premise that practically begs to be watched, and one that delivers plenty of curiosity right from the start.

That curiosity carries through the mystery itself, with enough twists to keep the journey engaging. The show knows how to tease out its central puzzle, but at times it asks for a bit too much patience. Tension is often stretched through contrived conflicts or stretches of police incompetence. The directing leans on a Scooby Doo effect where nearly everyone looks suspicious at some point. It did not weaken the suspense for me, though it did make me overthink every odd glance and twitch, chasing shadows the show may not have intended. At the same time, the violin string woven through the score adds an extra shiver of tension, sharp enough to keep you leaning forward.

At the center is the shifting lens on one woman, Jung I Shin. To some she is only a monster, to others a source of warmth, and still a reminder of justice where the system failed. Even those carrying their own scars use her as a mirror, projecting their pain or survival onto her. The word "monster" itself becomes less a truth than a reflection, revealing more about the speaker than about her. The most compelling arc belongs to her estranged son, Cha Su Yeol, who begins in denial and resentment but is gradually forced to confront both the trauma he buried and the truth of who his mother is. Around him are mirrors and counterpoints that challenge his hatred and deepen the story's themes. Some arcs frustrate in how they are written to drive conflicts, but the strongest ones underline the larger questions of inheritance, guilt, and identity. In the end, it is the mother-son bond that holds the story together, carrying both its pain and its humanity.

And then there is Go Hyun Jung. She carries this drama with an extraordinary performance, the kind that commands even the quietest scenes. She can be chilling without raising her voice, show joy or concern with the smallest shift, or find subtle comedy in a wry smile. Her restraint makes her unnerving, her precision makes her compelling, and her presence makes the drama linger even when the writing falters. Because of her strength, everyone else inevitably pales in comparison. I expected excellence the moment she was cast, and she delivered exactly that.

This is not a flawless drama. The plotting is uneven, some of the supporting cast often forgettable or frustrating, and some contrivances will test your patience. Yet its strength lies in how it uses its premise to explore weightier questions of justice, monstrosity, and the burden of the past. It may stumble, but the emotional weight and Go Hyun Jung's brilliance made it well worth watching.

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A Battle of Courage, Love, and Destiny

Legend of the Female General is a rare gem among historical C-dramas, beautifully blending the spirit of Qian Shan Cha Ke’s novel with a visually stunning and emotionally gripping adaptation. The drama captures the essence of He Yan’s journey—from betrayal and hidden identity to resilience and triumph—while showcasing her strength not just as a warrior, but as a woman carving her place in a world that seeks to silence her. Zhou Ye delivers a commanding performance that breathes life into the heroine, and her chemistry with Cheng Lei’s Xiao Jue makes their slow-burn romance both tender and powerful. With its rich costumes, sweeping battle scenes, political intrigue, and heartfelt storytelling, the series does justice to the source material, making it a must-watch for anyone who loves tales of courage, loyalty, and love against all odds.

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Nothing Special for a Serial Killer Drama

Short review

The male lead doesn’t really fit as a detective. His baby face makes the role unconvincing, and his acting feels awkward. I couldn’t even tell if it was good or not, just didn’t feel it.

The team of detectives feels useless since the other five barely help. The dialogues are boring, which makes the pacing and story worse.

The serial killer has no psycho vibe at all. It’s labeled as a thriller, but I didn’t get that feeling.

For an 8-episode drama, it’s too boring. It should have faster pacing, and compared to other ongoing dramas, it’s really bad. No surprise the rating didn’t go up.

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Funny and Sweet

When Destiny Brings the Demon is a fun watch! The chemistry between the leads is amazing and their moments together have a lot of heart. Some scenes actually made me feel for them and the humor sprinkled throughout kept things light and fun. The fantasy world is also really well-done with beautiful sets and visuals, the early episodes do a great job balancing adventure, romance and funny interactions.
However, It is quite slows down a lot in the second half and sometimes dragging with unnecessary side plots. A few emotional scenes could have been acted better both female lead and male lead.
The ending didn’t feel as exciting as I hoped, the whole show could have been a bit tighter with fewer episodes. But if you like romance-heavy fantasy with some laughs, cute teasing and heartfelt moments then this drama is a must-watch.

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More, please.

Spellbounding! Queen Mantis does not disappoint, EXCEPT I WANTED MORE. QM is not tagged as an ‘Limited Series’ on Netflix, I would appreciate a second season. 10s, across the board-script/writing, performances, costume, development, and many other attributes.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
After watching Queen Mantis, I am reminded of the depth of my gratefulness for the talented Go Hyun-jung. Go Hyun-jung is the epitome of a classy independent survivor, a representation of a complete woman, despite adversity. Thankfully, Go retuned to the screen/stage, after enduring and escaping (what appeared to have been) an enslaved/subservient marriage.

I am grateful, I have witnessed Go (appear) live life to the fullest, enjoy her craft-love for the art of acting, and succeed with her own terms.

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Normaly an expensive feast created by quality.

Not strange if one says that "looks a bit like Mr. Queen".The use of 'michelin chef' terms; seems to have a place in many Korean dramas and variety shows these days, and it's boring, knowing the truth of the status isn't achieved by simply attaching it to a character's label.

With a heavy heart, this drama is very different from some culinary dramas I have watched, I would call it a forced airing for this one. Not all historical tragedies can be used as "what if" scenarios when writing a script, as some could bring a potential risk to sentiments of certain groups. Furthermore, the haphazard addition of certain aspects seem like an attempt to sway public opinion.

This is very dangerous considering the negative impact of rewriting history, especially through fiction, if not done carefully, although personally I liked the depth of the male lead's character.

Hope that future dramas like this, would be written and produced with more natural dialogue and scenes, also good prepromotion so they don't come off as tacky and obvious.

As a most cook said "don't waste good ingredients"

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