Reviews

I refuse to believe that anyone watches this for anything but the NC scenes. I don’t even understand how anyone can enjoy these NC scenes. Where’s the plot? It’s so insanely bad and the storyline? What even is this? NC scenes are usually more likely to be romantic, hot or extra to the relationship often in a good way which is much more nice to watch, but these NC scenes truly disgust me. I don’t understand what people see in those scenes, they’re so unnecessarily aggressive, disgusting and honestly just too much. Not worth even giving a chance in my opinion.

Read More

Something very special about this drama

Something very special about this drama
Such cinematography, such ost, such bgm.. something I will never forget! Something I really was touched by !
By very first scene I was sure there a piece of art waiting.. but I was not expecting this much ..
I really really love how they capture emotion , the cinematography ,there something special about this! In some scenes the subtle slow motion of their laughter , their eye language, their kisses , the music
It feel soo melancholic so warm !!
The first thing I thought when I saw the drama was if studio ghibili has a drama this how it would be !

Read More

In retrospect, there wasn't much going on with the overall plot. Good one and done watch.

I think "The Double" is my personal favorite example of a slow burn CDRAMA which has a plot that makes you want to keep watching aside from the romance.

Sometimes the flirting and emotional development between the leads in Prisoner of Beauty can feel a bit awkward, even childish. For example, the male lead doesn’t go talk to the female lead himself but sends his guards to deliver messages — you kind of have to be mentally prepared for that kind of setup. When the screentime is just the two of them, it is a lot of back-and-forth obliviousness between them. And this is a majority of the screentime for the show.

The strength of this drama is the character building it goes through with the main leads. It's also not a typical palace drama. It’s set in a fantasy world with no emperor, just different territories vying for power, so the political dynamics have a different flavor. The male lead’s goal is to unify the kingdoms by building water canals and improving people’s lives. But this really didn't need 36 episodes.

As for the romance between the leads —The female lead doesn’t really start to fall for him & trust him until after episode 20. After all, they were from enemy clans to begin with. I think if you are watching this for romance only, it takes too long to get to the better parts, and otherwise the overarching plot is drawn out too long.

Wei Yan(actor Liu Duan Duan from Joy of Life !) was an interesting character who had plot twists I never thought would happen, but he felt under-utilized altogether.

Read More

beginning of a drama

I loved the actors in this, and I felt the balance between subplots and the main plot was well done. They even had time to add in second love interests to spike up the conflict but everything went so fast I had no idea it was done till the end. I thought it was just begging we'd get to see them face their world and everything and grow in love, but nope, this was just a bit of a letdown because I thought they were going to go deeper.
My favorite part was when the writers put her through exactly what she put him through. I was laughing but also so sad for her cause I know I would have cried if that happened to me.
Even in the end, we didn't get enough couples together time, and that's why it was so low for me. The rewatch value is higher because it was an enjoyable watch, but everything was resolved too quickly; the end was too quick. She found out too quickly, and it just felt like I just watched an extra-long movie that I thought was going to be a show.
The OST was okay. The fashion was good but nothing I feel I needed to copy or was struck by like they usually are.
Overall this was just a good story with not enough time to developed or not enough time given to the proper issues.

Read More

The Prisoner of Beauty: A Triumph of Romance and Refinement

What a delightful surprise The Prisoner of Beauty has proved to be! It has, quite unexpectedly, liberated me from the often perplexing constraints of historical C-drama, a realm where I had once felt rather imprisoned.

Allow me to set the scene. My loyalties have long belonged to K-drama, a land I traverse with far greater frequency than the realm of C-drama. (Though, it must be said, it was C-drama that first led me into the arms of K-drama.) Time and again, I endeavored to immerse myself in historical C-dramas, only to find my efforts thwarted by an overwhelming sense of detachment. Last year, I ventured into one of the more popular titles—its name beginning with a B—and, I confess, I made it halfway through. It was a generous attempt, born of a drought in K-drama offerings (since the delightful Lovely Runner). At that point, I resigned myself to the thought that perhaps C-dramas were simply not meant for me.

But, as fate would have it, a series of captivating clips on Instagram enticed me to give it one final try. "Just four episodes," I told myself, and what a decision that was!

I entered with minimal expectations and, to my utmost delight, I was utterly swept away. The Prisoner of Beauty proved itself to be a gem of the highest order—both electrifying and graceful. The writing, sharp and incisive; the setting, immersive and enchanting; and the characters—oh, how they shone! The story’s focus on the beloved OTP was a welcome departure from the over-complicated political subplots that tend to overrun historical dramas. Indeed, the show wisely kept such schemes brief, using them only to propel the central couple forward. In my view, the danger of too many subplots is that they risk muddling the narrative, a common trap I often find in C-dramas (though this, of course, is merely a personal opinion). Here, the writing flowed with a delightful ease—smooth, almost flawless, in its execution of a truly lovely romance. I shall venture to say this is the first historical C-drama to truly capture my heart, and for that, it deserves the highest praise.

Now, let us speak of the actors. Liu Yu Ning, who portrayed the formidable Wei Shao, delivered an astonishing performance. In many historical dramas, I find myself somewhat disconcerted by the casting of slim, effeminate young men in roles of commanding generals—such portrayals often fail to convey the necessary gravitas. But not here. Liu Yu Ning embodied Wei Shao with chilling precision: cold, vengeful, and unwavering in his resolve. His portrayal was utterly convincing—if looks could kill, one could hardly believe he would hesitate.

As for Song Zu Er, who brought the character of Qiao Man to life, I was entirely captivated. There is a quiet strength in her portrayal that struck me deeply—so much so that I nearly forgot I was watching an actress, rather than a true historical figure. Her performance was subtle yet powerful, brimming with an innate dignity that is all too rare in today’s portrayals of women. I find myself rather weary of the overly bold, modern portrayals of women’s strength; true femininity, I believe, lies in courage, gentleness, and the quiet ability to stand firm in the face of adversity. Qiao Man, as written and as performed by Song Zu Er, exemplifies this perfectly. Her strength is not in a sword or in brash actions, but in the quiet dignity with which she faces the world—a refreshing portrayal indeed.
The relationship between Wei Shao and Qiao Man unfolded with the kind of tender slowness that makes a romance truly unforgettable. In the beginning, the coldness and guardedness of Wei Shao was evident, from the chilling moment when he pointed an arrow at her to the scene where, in a rare admission, he confesses how she never abandoned him in moments of peril (Episode 32, or perhaps 33? I shall need to rewatch). Over time, the walls around his heart crumbled, slowly but surely, as Qiao Man’s truthfulness and unwavering goodness wore them down, layer by layer. Therein lies the beauty of their relationship—the slow, deliberate pacing of their emotional journey. The directing was, I must say, exquisite in capturing their vulnerability and tenderness toward one another. It was, quite simply, a masterpiece of emotional depth.

As for the chemistry between the leads—my word! It transcended the screen, radiating warmth and sweetness in equal measure. There were moments, particularly in the consummation scene, when I nearly felt as though I were trespassing upon the most private of moments. Yet, it was done with such grace and subtlety that it never crossed into the realm of vulgarity. The chemistry was both electrifying and tender, making it one of the most swoon-worthy onscreen pairings I have had the pleasure of watching.

Now, I would be remiss if I did not mention a few aspects that, though perhaps unavoidable in historical dramas, did not go unnoticed: certain deaths seemed rather superfluous and, dare I say, unnecessary. However, this is a minor quibble, as such events are, alas, part and parcel of the genre.

In conclusion, I must extend my heartfelt thanks to Liu Yu Ning, Song Zu Er, the writer, the production team, and the directors. You have truly hit the sweet spot for me. I am now, without hesitation, looking forward to the next project these fine actors undertake. The Prisoner of Beauty has been a journey I shall not soon forget—one that is captivating, addictive, and, above all, a triumph of historical romance.

Until next time, in the world of C-drama, I bid you farewell… but I shall return, undoubtedly, for Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er’s next endeavor. What a delightful ride it has been!

Read More

Best kdrama I've watched

My Liberation Notes isn’t the kind of drama that tries to impress you with big twists or flashy moments. It’s quiet, slow, and deeply personal and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Watching it felt like someone put my own unspoken thoughts and emotions on screen. There’s something incredibly comforting about seeing characters who feel stuck, tired, or invisible, yet still searching for something more, something meaningful.

The writing is honest and unfiltered, capturing the dull ache of everyday life and the longing that lives underneath it. Every character felt real to me, especially Yeom Mi-jeong, whose quiet struggle to feel something...anything...hit me hard. And Mr. Gu, with all his silence and mystery, was such a beautifully written contrast. Their dynamic wasn’t about romance in the usual sense; it was about connection, healing, and finding peace in someone else's presence.

The cinematography is stunning, but not in a showy way. It reflects the stillness of the story, empty roads, gray skies, small town landscapes, almost like a visual sigh. And the soundtrack ties it all together perfectly.

This kdrama made me reflect on my own life, on the things I want but don’t always know how to ask for. It’s one of those rare dramas that lingers long after the credits roll, not because of what happens, but because of how deeply it makes you feel.

And Hey If you’ve ever felt stuck or lost, this drama will speak to you. It did to me.

Read More

It's all heart ?

I began watching it for the friendship and it wrenched my heart in the bargain. The lightness & depth of relationships, grief, family beyond blood, love - is all beautifully depicted. The actors did a great job in portraying the seen & unseen worlds that we carry within ourselves when going through tense or happy moments in life. The unconditional love of friends is a balm to the soul - likely why they make beautiful soulmates. It was beautiful to watch the inner weavings of female friendships.

Thanks to the crew for making this series with so much heart.

If I had to say one critique, it would be the lack of justice to a trio friendship in the tougher times. While there will be uneven links among a trio, at times the series focused only on a single duo friendship which had me missing the third friend. There were times when she wasn't even mentioned or thought of by the duo and that felt odd. I wish the series had done more justice to the trio dynamic.

This being said, it's a beautiful story to watch.
I love the plot & scene choices of the parts of the parallel stories that they chose to showcase vs put behind the scenes. Definitely recommended to watch if you're craving a dose of female friendships. Just keep a tissue box handy, for the happy tears too. :D yes, they make you laugh too.

Read More

A very comical BL

I must admit, when I stated watching this, I stopped twice through episode 1 and almost quit .. but after starting it up the second time I stayed with it. To my surprise, it turned out to be a pretty decent & comical series. It took a while to take off, but once it did it was worth the time. There's a lot of funny moments in this plus some drama as well.
Maki's father meeting Haruta for the first time was hilarious. He should have been in the series more!
Overall a good story line with a bit of a bizarre final episode before leading to a good happy ending to carry over into the sequel.

Read More

Romcom with emotional trauma, chaos, friendship, family and love

I absolutely loved this show. Even though I was spoiled for a lot of things, I still loved it and enjoyed it. They are the perfect chaotic couple, and I am completely IN LOVE WITH THEM. Friends to lovers, she/he fell first, he fell harder, golder retriever boyfriend, their cute bickering and flirting, I just can't get over them 😭😭😍😍😭🤌😭😍🥺🤭💙

The emotional trauma made me cry. My baby girl went through so much, and even though I found out the truth of her illness before the show, it was still emotional 😭😭😫🥺😭🥺😭 Her family should have been more understanding and not just because of her illness, but the way she was treated before and even after speaking up, my baby was so hurt. I'm still mad at her mother. And I hate the ex.

Her best friend's relationship and story was so cute as well. I definitely didn't expect the plot twist about the kid's family. Also the guy was a coward for so long, I got annoyed but his confession made up for it.

Back to our babies, I loved the flashbacks to their pasts and childhood. I didn't expect the female child actor to be the same as in family by choice, but it was a happy surprise 😍💙 They both missed 30 years and 5 episodes of their dating era wasn't enough. That 10 month time skip was too short. I want their wedding, their house, kids, family, more scenes. I miss them already 😭🥺😍🥺😫💙 I was in tears and blushing and giggling from how cute and fluffy and chaotic and in love they were. I want more!!

Read More

A surprisingly good mini drama that doesn't look cheap and with good acting + chemistry

I think one of my clown friends mentioned this drama, so I found it on YouTube. This is not a vertical mini, but a regular Tencent mini drama. It is a low budget for sure, but at least nothing feels cheap. I think this is my little guilty pleasure.

“Drunk to Love You” has almost all the cliches and tropes in a trash/guilty pleasure, mini drama. It has 2 of my personal favorites: contract relationship/cohabitation and guessing of feelings. I drink the coolaid right there! The characters are likable and the acting is pretty good. The main leads are visually pleasing and have great chemistry. The kisses are decent but could have been better compared to other minis. I like that ML looks like a sweet boy from next door with the adorable look, instead of a sexy and hot hunk (I love me a hot guy but a change of taste is good sometimes). The secondary romance could use more development but they bring in the sexiness that the leads didn’t give me.

The plot itself is predictable. You can see the plot twists from a mile away. So, if you are looking for a mini with decent production value, pretty good acting and good chemistry, I would recommend “Drunk to Love You” for you. Of all the modern minis out there, this is one of my favorites.

Just based on my feelings on this drama, and totally subjective, I am giving this a high 8.5. I don’t usually rate minis, but for some reason, I want to for this one since I did stay up till 5:30 a.m. to binge-watch this.


Completed: 5/31/2025 - Review #585

Read More