Reviews

You Can Talk With a Kiss & Voice-Controlled Boyfriend User Manual is a great fantasy romance miniseries with Yu Long (as Hu Xiao) and Yang Mie Mie/Yang Yilu (as Yan Qianxun) in the leading couple’s role. The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has a phenomenal playful and passionate romantic chemistry. The plot is great and the drama gets better as the leading couple start to understand and reveal their feelings for one another. Hu Xiao and Yan Qianxun are strong, decisive, and lovely character. Overall, this drama is very well done and entertaining, enjoy it!
For now, this drama can be found on YouTube under the caption: “At 18, she lost her voice. A surprise kiss from CEO cured her, she chased him for more, tamed him”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTt_PZfTY2s)

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-My Wife Is a Fairy (2025) is a lighthearted reborn fantasy comedy with Yu Long (as Lu Ling) and Yang Mie Mie/Yang Yilu (as Lin Pianpian) in the lead couple’s role. The drama is more about Lin Pianpian, the Holy Lady of Light, who was reborn as an Abbot from Izumo Temple and has a metaphysical abilities. She has a spiritual and fated connection with Lu Ling and also has three brothers. On this drama, the romantic relationship between Lu Ling and Lin Pianpian is steadfast and heartwarming. Lin Pianpian is constantly harassed by someone from her past but his futile attempts are mostly the source of the comedic portion on the drama.
For the meantime, this drama can be found on You Tube under the caption: “After rebirth, she’s spoiled deeply by 3 CEO brothers and a powerful fiancé!” or “The CEO Forbids His Wife from Practicing Mysticism | Yu Long & Yang Miemie”
Story 7.5,Acting/Cast 8.5,Music 6,Rewatch Value 1 Overall 6

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Ahead of the times

Adapted from the novel of the same name (大生意人), this drama ambitiously tries to cover a lot of ground and time in only 40 episodes. Having not read the novel, I can judge the drama on its merits alone. And there is certainly a lot to admire about this lavishly produced period drama set from the Taiping Rebellion during the Qing dynasty all the way to the early days of revolution before the Republic of China. Shot on location for the most part with a generally naturalistic and accurate-to-history approach to costumes, makeup and styling, Legend of the Magnate is a welcome break from the manicured and somewhat derivative idol period dramas coming out of Chinese drama land these days. Performances are also more raw (everyone is using their own voice here too as far as I can tell) and real, with some very moving sections of the story.

The story starts off with a bang in the frigid cold of Ningguta as Gu Pingyuan makes a thrilling escape from exile. From there, the story slowly begins to lose focus as more and more strands of storylines are introduced, making it harder on the audience to connect emotionally with every strand. Some storylines were more effective for me than others. Whether you agree or not with the romance, the Li Cheng and Bai Yimei storyline was striking for me. Serving tea to Empress Dowager Cixi - while completely farfetched - was also thrilling. Unfortunately, the latter part of the drama had some of the weaker storylines. The British characters were not developed enough to make me feel much by the time the last couple episodes came along. Female characters that were so impactful and gripping to watch (Ms. Su and Chang Yu'er) in the first half have less to do in the latter half.

All in all, this is worthy period drama to catch if one appreciates a more grounded production with a generally more well-written script (with better dialogue and performances than the usual idol dramas of today). But this story could have either been expanded to allow for better development of certain storylines or eliminated sections that did not elaborate on the core characters - some of whom I feel were underused by the latter third of the story.

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Great story pace was flowing till the end

My review is for the producers/directors what in the world? The ending was like a scarecrow stuff with whatever and hung with a limb in every direction!!!!!
My goodness did the writers quit????
Why couldn’t the couple that finally conquered kiss when The man proposes???? What is this the 50’s they can only kiss once I The while drama.
People want to see the sparks between them finally be freely given oxygen rather than you spend all that time on the evil woman dialogue after clearly losing touch with reality.
YOU have completely lost touch with why people even watched this Drama…you must have run out of budget and time. But this last episode with a small wedding and cheap/free tweaks could have been so SO much better. I have rarely if ever been this let down by an ending of ever. (I am a US native born female college grad professional: was in hospitality and daytime talk tv& teaching etc.
I was so shocked how even my husband was excited to see this each time and so we both would tune in only for it to be so stale and disjointed like that?
Call me and I redo the ending & give people something to dream about. You forget why people watched… the daughter losing her mind should have been a 5 second clip of her in the chair OR with Lucia on the bench not BOTH and her running around, and NO wedding or honey moon shot of them in the mountains relaxing!!!!!!
I’ll stop here by my goodness. It would have been better to leave unfinished @ do a presser saying the writers were kidnapped ( almost serious) the world is looking to Korean dramas for their outlet & inspiration. You are more than telling a story: you’re allowing the woman to feel like the heroin and the man to be the hero….. that last scene of them together is how my brother would greet me
🫵🏽stinkers!

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A Masterpiece of Medical Mystery: A Comprehensive Review of Treasure at Dawn

Introduction

In the vast landscape of historical dramas, it is rare to find a series that perfectly balances medical procedural elements, high-stakes mystery, and character-driven storytelling. Treasure at Dawn (also known as Tian Shu Li Ming) is precisely that gem. Having immersed myself in the journey of Hua Fu Sheng and his companions, I can confidently state that this drama is a standout release of 2025. It deftly combines the allure of ancient legends with the grounded, gritty reality of medical practice. For those seeking a narrative that respects the intelligence of its audience while delivering heart pounding suspense, this show is a mandatory watch.

The premise attracts immediate attention: a brilliant but socially inept doctor, a noblewoman with the power to shield him, and a street smart performer with hidden depths. Together, they form an investigative trio that rivals the best in the genre. This review will delve deep into the characters, the plot intricacies, and the production quality that justifies a perfect 10/10 rating.

The Enigmatic "Madman": Hua Fu Sheng

The heart of Treasure at Dawn beats within the chest of Hua Fu Sheng. Played with remarkable nuance, Hua Fu Sheng is not your typical dashing hero. He is defined by his obsession medicine. The scriptwriters made a bold choice to portray him as "ignorant of the world." This does not mean he is unintelligent; rather, his genius is so focused on the human body and pathology that he lacks common social graces.

What makes him a compelling protagonist is the duality of his reputation. To the common people, he is a savior; to the establishment, he is a threat. The drama does not shy away from the darker aspects of his practice. His methods are unconventional, often bordering on what the traditional world considers "poisonous" or heretical. There is a palpable tension in every scene where he treats a patient, as the viewer is left wondering if his risky gambits will pay off.

Li Hongyi’s performance here is a career high. He sheds the "cold idol" persona often seen in C-dramas to embody a character who is frantic, intense, and deeply misunderstood. The look in his eyes when he encounters a new disease is not fear, but excitement. This characterization drives the narrative forward because his motivation isn't fame or justice in the abstract sense it is the pursuit of medical truth, regardless of the cost.

The Iron Triangle: Chemistry and Dynamics

A mystery drama is only as good as its investigative team, and Treasure at Dawn excels here. The dynamic between Hua Fu Sheng, Wen Jue, and Gu Tian is the engine of the show.

Wen Jue, the daughter of the Liangzhou City Lord, serves as the perfect foil to Hua Fu Sheng. Where he is chaotic and reckless, she is composed and politically astute. Su Xiaotong brings a quiet strength to the role. She is not merely a damsel or a romantic interest; she is the shield. The narrative choice to have her use the City Lord’s mansion to protect Hua Fu Sheng’s clinic is a brilliant plot device. It establishes immediate stakes: she is risking her family's reputation for him. Her belief in his innocence regarding the "hundred doctors" murder case grounds the story emotionally.

Then there is Gu Tian, the successor of the "hundred operas." Yu Chengen plays this role with an infectious energy. Initially appearing as the comic relief a man of "eloquent tongue" who can talk his way out of anything he quickly proves to be the eyes and ears of the group. His background in the opera and arts gives him access to the lower rungs of society and the gossip channels that Wen Jue and Hua Fu Sheng cannot reach. Furthermore, his skills in performance and acrobatics translate surprisingly well to combat and evasion, making him a formidable ally physically as well as verbally.

The interactions between these three are organic. They bicker, they doubt each other, but they ultimately coalesce into a unit where each member covers the others' weaknesses. This "found family" aspect is written with such warmth that you find yourself rooting for their friendship as much as the resolution of the mystery.

The Mystery: The Book from Heaven and the Hundred Doctors

The central mystery of the show is gripping from the first episode. The inciting incident Hua Fu Sheng being mistaken for a murderer responsible for the deaths of a hundred doctors is a hook that demands attention. The stakes are personal from the start.

The script weaves a complex web around the "Book from Heaven." In many dramas, a MacGuffin like this is just a magical object. However, Treasure at Dawn treats the Book from Heaven as a piece of medical or scientific history that has been mythologized. The letter left by Hua Fu Sheng’s master serves as a treasure map, not to gold, but to forbidden knowledge.

Minor Spoilers Ahead:
One of the most engaging aspects of the early plot is how the investigation in Liangzhou unfolds. When the trio arrives, they don't just find clues; they find a city undercurrent with fear. The "strange things" mentioned in the synopsis are not just random jump scares. We see instances where patients exhibit symptoms that defy traditional medical logic symptoms that mimic hauntings or curses but are actually biological.

For example, the way Hua Fu Sheng deciphers the "curse" plaguing the poor districts of Liangzhou is a highlight. While the townsfolk scream of ghosts, he looks at water sources, food supplies, and insect bites. The show brilliantly juxtaposes superstition against science. The "Book from Heaven" seems to be the key to these biological anomalies. The revelation that the "deaths of a hundred doctors" might be a silencing campaign rather than the work of a serial killer adds a layer of political conspiracy that elevates the story above a simple whodunit. The shadows in Liangzhou are long, and the antagonist forces are intelligent, often using the city's own rumors against the protagonists.

Production Value and Atmosphere

Visually, Treasure at Dawn is stunning. The setting of Liangzhou is rendered with a distinct color palette dusty golds and deep shadows that reflect the desert-adjacent location. The cinematography emphasizes the isolation of the city and the claustrophobia of the conspiracy.

The medical scenes are handled with a surprising amount of detail. The props department deserves praise for the acupuncture sets, the herbal concoctions, and the gritty realism of the clinic. It feels like a lived-in world. The costume design also tells a story: Hua Fu Sheng’s robes are often practical and slightly disheveled, contrasting with Wen Jue’s structured, elegant attire, visually representing the order she tries to bring to his chaos.

Why I Love It

The reason I give this drama a 10/10 is that it respects the viewer's time. The pacing is tight. There are no "filler" episodes where characters wander aimlessly. Every conversation advances either the character development or the mystery of the Book from Heaven.

I particularly appreciated the subversion of the romance trope. While there is chemistry between the leads, the romance does not derail the plot. The focus remains on survival and the pursuit of truth. The writers understand that in a life or death mystery, romance is a slow burn that happens in the quiet moments between chaos, not the main focus.

Furthermore, the moral ambiguity of Hua Fu Sheng is refreshing. He is not a "nice" doctor. He is an effective one. He often makes decisions that seem cold to the observer but are medically necessary. Watching Wen Jue and Gu Tian come to understand and accept his morality is one of the most rewarding emotional arcs of the series.

Conclusion

Treasure at Dawn is a triumph. It successfully blends the excitement of an adventure serial with the intellectual satisfaction of a medical procedural. The acting is top-tier, the mystery is genuinely puzzling, and the world-building is immersive.

If you are looking for a drama that will keep you guessing until the very end, while simultaneously making you fall in love with a ragtag team of investigators, this is the show for you. The journey to uncover the "Book from Heaven" is fraught with danger, but for the viewer, it is a journey of pure delight. Do not miss the chance to watch Hua Fu Sheng, Wen Jue, and Gu Tian unravel the secrets of Liangzhou. It is, without a doubt, a masterpiece of the genre. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it.

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Whispers of Fate: A Journey Through Philosophy, Love, and Destiny

Watching Whispers of Fate is like diving deeply into multiple philosophical questions, while also delighting the eyes with magnificent fight scenes. The sets and costumes are wonderful. The perfection of the channeled wind when they fall into that wind-tunnel precipice is truly impressive.

These are just a few insights I had while watching:

Already in Episode 1, there is a reflection on one’s responsibility toward those who know you. In Episodes 14 and 19, there are profound reflections on the meaning of life. Also in Episode 19, there is a rule of etiquette: “Strangers must follow the rules of the place.” I find this very appropriate for today’s world, where mutual respect is increasingly rare.

The drama shows that we do everything we can to avoid losing the ones we love. Tang Lici and Fang Pingzhai are determined to change the past.

A special highlight goes to Episode 32, which is my favorite. In it, Fang Zhou’s speech is beautiful, and through it, A-Li is finally able to let go of her master, teacher, friend, and protector.

As someone from the West, where we favor happy endings, this one felt appropriate to me, since the little white fox finally ended up with her master.

As for the characters, Xifang Tao also deserved to be reborn, as he seemed to want redemption in the end. Princess Chong should have admitted to her master what she had done. I found her evolution into a more determined woman interesting once she was recognized as a Princess. I understand that she wanted to lessen Lici’s suffering when she sent the poisoned needle into him, since, after all, everything rested on his shoulders. The Sword Alliance did not have that many talents after all. Everyone ended up injured and failed to handle the Fengliu Hall.

Liu Yan, to me, was always jealous of the attention Fang Zhou gave to Lici. He deserved to die, as he caused much damage during his journey of vengeance.

Master Shao is a great man, very wise. Puzhu and Chengtao are far too inflexible.

As for Shen, I think he should have had more screen time. His friendship with Lici was portrayed very superficially. Chi Yun, on the other hand, showed his admiration and concern for Lici much more clearly.

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What supposed THE BEST series turns into THE WORST real quick

From the start to ep 20, I still think this is gonna be one of the best series I've watched. It was literally perfect. Then it turns sour from ep 30, nothing is better, most of relationships are ruined, good people die or demoted, bad people get away. No happy moments, no payback. No truth revealed, No misunderstanding resolved. Not even happy ending can save it. I wasn't even excited or happy about ML and FL wedding anymore. Maybe a little happiness from Princess Xin Nan but thats' it.

Suggestion: Watch up to wedding scene in ep 30 and stop there. There is nothing important to prevail. Nothing good awaits, No more exciting things, whether love line, avenge, or other plot. just pure frustration.

Everything is perfect in the first half
- Funny
- Cute couples
- Everyone is smart
- Motivating and upligting
- the good guys always win

Everything is bad in the second half
- most people turn unresonable (especially Fu Yin, wtf is she trying to do and gain? lol)
- too many toxic people and too many drama. I can't watch many ep in one go just bc of how toxic it is.
- Twisted morality, the screen writer somehow try to justify all the bad actions and paint it as "good". The script mentioned the queen like she is goddess but she is just Evil queen who unreasonably kill people without investigation while profect her son from the bigger crime he did. Or Lu Yingying trying to give herself to Yan zhi fang as redemption for her dad, and call Yan zhi fang coward for refusing her. Who does that? If a daughter of someone who killed my whole family try to have sex with me so I can forgive her dad, I'd be disgusted too. (I know Yan zhi fang is no good either,) he initiated a lot of conflict and messed up most people's lives in the story but he just got away. This series talked about Karma but Crown prince and Yan zhi fang just get away and live happy life, while Prince Han did nothing wrong. He was put in jail and demoted for stupid reasons. Let's be honest, screenwriter just tried to find a reason to disqualify him from becoming a crown prince because he's fat. Not to mention Prince Zhou who force kiss FL and pressure Fl into breaking the rules, FL stil said he is an upright man.
- Not only we didn't get to see ML&FL together, they force us to watch romance of old evil queen and king. FL and the third wheel Zhou THE WHOLE TIME. ML basically becomes supporting role.
- FL and ML misunderstand each other is horible and too long It was really hard to keep watching after that. But it's worse when they reconcile. Because by that time I already stop rooting for them. and the they did it very sloppy, there is no explaination why ML turn to FL again. There never be any truth revealed. They never resolve misunderstanding. just.. okay back together.

Pro:
- you have a very good first half to enjoy
- Even the second half. You can still enjoy funny charactors like I love the sheng bothers, the princess Xin Nan, even the bad guy Luqi. And of course ML. I am not a fan of Xu Kai but man he is so chrismatic here. You'd enjoy every scene of him, serious fighting or funny.
- Chemistry is amazing (despite only few scenes we got). FL always loves and praise ML.

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More slice-of-life, please!!

YESSS transmigrating to the past as a stepmother!! While this is a pretty fresh concept in Cdrama-land, I've been reading Cnovels with this premise for years. And you would be surprised how much revenge and action these writers can fit in a "slice-of-life".

A FARMER'S FORTUNE is sweet, cute, and a quick watch at 15-min episodes. That makes the total runtime around 6 hours, which honestly makes it great as a bite-sized piece of enjoyment. We start with our FL in the present, struggling to reclaim her ancestral property from her scheming brother and sister-in-law, and just aggravated with the family rule that properties get handed down to males. So while she's lamenting to her ancestors, of course she knocks someone's altar down and gets transported back in time... as his stepmother?!

This story was so, so, so cute. If you enjoy slice-of-life historical dramas then this will be up your alley. The villains' schemes are countered pretty smoothly but they put up enough of a fight to make the plot engaging. The side characters have heart, and there are unexpected twists surrounding the ML as well. Also I love love love child-raising stories!! It's not too deep in this short drama series but the kids do play a big role in the story and are very likeable as well.

Things to look forward to:
❀ Sweet and hardworking FL who has to turn everyone's opinion of her as an evil stepmother to someone who cares about her kids
❀ Mysterious but supportive ML who ends up respecting (and ofc loving) the FL despite initial wariness
❀ Super cute kids!! And love the character development of the older brother
❀ Silly antagonists who keep the pot stirring
❀ Soft and tender romance with a pretty natural, smooth progression

✕ The only con I would say is a meh ending - it's happy and satisfying but too quick to fully even enjoy before it ends.
BUT honestly since it ends on a good note I can't complain too much.

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Sigh,,, this is why I can't do xianxia cdramas

For some reason I can never find myself finishing a xianxia cdrama, and Love in the Clouds was the furthest along I've ever gotten before dropping the ball and searching up the ending/spoilers. What can I say? I guess I'm an impatient viewer.

The scenes are gorgeous, the music is enticing, the acting is off-the-roof, the leads look dazzling together, and the clothing/stages are rich and stylish. I ADORED the first 20-ish episodes and was literally staying up all the night because of the characters' chemistry, the fast-paced plot, and stunning cinematography to tie it all together. The separation around ep 23 was the last straw for me though. After that I sped through the next couple of episodes and called it quits before checking the ending out.

While I WANT to love xianxia dramas (and I enjoy reading them!), there are too many exasperating romantic tropes for me to follow as a viewer. I love the worlds that they build, the magic systems, the complex plots and hidden identities, but for some reason all of this intricacy HAS to get tagged onto amnesia plots, betrayals left and right, and characters making dumb decisions for the sake of storyline progression. And while I do admit, Love in the Clouds didn't necessarily have those components, they still dragged out the romance and angst for longer than needed, and to the point where I just wasn't enjoying the couples' dynamics knowing there were so many lies/secrets between them.

But anyway, here's what I loved in the beginning:
❀ Powerful main leads!! | The beginning fight between the main leads was exciting and fresh. The different leads are quite powerful and I was excited to see the FL rise back up to power after damaging her spiritual vein... until I couldn't wait that long. Like bruh. I was anticipating some epic fight scenes but unfortunately her character did not deliver. The actors themselves are spectacular, my heart definitely felt some sort of way when they cried lol. But then they started crying too much and I stopped caring.

❀ Bedazzling cinematography | God I loveee the world-building in xianxia stories and how immense they can be. The background music matched the action and plotting schemes so well and in general it was just so immersive. The bad fox guy (Xun Ming) arc around ep 11 was just epic. The tension between the leads was SO well-done and Xun Ming's whole background being unraveled was executed perfectly.

❀ Cute dialogue | The show definitely had its comedic moments whether through sound effects or light-hearted dialogue and I really did enjoy the characters' interactions - special shout-out to the companion beasts and side couples who were all so cute.

And then it falls off after ep 20-ish:
✕ Cycling plots | Bad guys carry out their scheme -> FL suffering to save ML -> ML saves the day -> rinse and repeat. Although I guess you can argue the "FL is saving the ML through her suffering" although I would counter why is one executed with pain and torture while the other is executed with magical fights. And again I would counter to that to be fair, the ML does get his own dose of suffering. But xianxia, oh xianxia, WHYYY do y'all love suffering main leads. I get having angst, but at some point you're doing the characters a disservice by using their actions as a driver for these tedious storylines. Like come on it took the ML 25 episodes to realize the FL's true identity? It's 2025 pleaseeee. I do like his character but his brain must be a rock. And the FL taking so long to clarify her identity was just... ugh, maybe I'm an impatient viewer. I don't need to read paragraphs of analyses on the characters' trauma to justify their decisions. Noble idiocy is just what the name implies - the character is noble, and they're an idiot. We love them as leads because they like to self-sacrifice for the greater good, but that doesn't make them a smart cookie. And honestly maybe that points to lazy writing but that's a rant for another day.

✕ The push-pull of me and the leads | I really wanted to like them - and I did, in the beginning. But the writing truly did them a disservice and while the actors did an amazing job in conveying the characters' emotions and actions, I was constantly in a tug-of-war between really cheering them on and rolling my eyes at them. And the eye-rolling won.

✕ Romance logic just out the window | It was sooo good in the beginning. I loved their kiss scenes, and I think the leads had pretty good chemistry (they certainly looked great together, especially the rare moments when they fought/plotted together). But bruh none of this angst in ep 20+ makes sense when SUCH a good foundation for their relationship was already made. The ML was even like "I trust you" -> proceeds to dump her because of lack of trust. They LITERALLY know their feelings for one another because of plot requirements (like walking through the marriage road or the soul severing device that forced the truth) and they STILL engaged in mutual suffering and pining afterwards. Like HUH???? All of this and for WAT.
(I know, it's for the plot) BUT -
Such a strong romantic foundation was established and it just felt, idk, gimmicky and shallow to go through that cycle of self-sacrifice and unwillingness to reveal the truth afterwards. Like give me back the emotional energy I used up in the first half, damn it!

OVERALL
This was a good reminder that xianxia cdramas are just not for me. And of course this is a case of "it's you, not me," because if I was a more patient viewer I think I could have sat through 12 more episodes of pining and lying and self-inflicted suffering and silence (when there should have been a confession), but unfortunately I am not, and I won't be trying a xianxia again until they figure out a new and improved way to introduce tension into a story.

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One the dumbest shows ever to come out of Japan.

The show is so frustrating to watch. Every problem in the series can be easily rectified but the characters constantly make stupid choices. The main character is so incredibly annoying because she whines in her own brain. You sit there and wait for her to stop being passive, she pauses, makes a bunch of grimaces....but her explosive lectures are not enough. I guess you would have no show if a few clever and smart words were used at the right time. There's no excuse for poor writing, the characters are mostly cliche. If you are a thinking viewer and keep saying to yourself "Why don't they just say this? How come this character isn't doing this...it is so obvious", this show will annoy the heck out of you.

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