Reviews

An ambitious and stimulating starting idea

Glory is built on an undeniably compelling core concept: presenting a world in which matriarchy is not merely a backdrop, but a true social and narrative driving force. The series also highlights the ambitions surrounding the tea trade, its history, and the world of tea growers. This ancestral know-how, carefully preserved for centuries by the Rong family, is transmitted through a strictly hierarchical and matriarchal system.

The series attempts to question power relations, family legacies, and gender roles through a plot that blends strategy, human drama, and struggles for influence and authority within a large family. On paper, the project is bold and breaks away from the classic patterns often found in Chinese historical dramas.

Despite its flaws, Glory remains an interesting series to watch, particularly for its universe, certain character dynamics, and the questions it raises, even though it falls short of its ambitions halfway through.
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Matriarchy: a powerful concept, but unevenly explored
Matriarchy lies at the heart of Glory, yet it is handled in a contradictory manner. On the one hand, it allows the portrayal of women in positions of power—complex, strategic, and sometimes morally ambiguous. On the other hand, especially from the middle of the story onward, the series resorts to narrative shortcuts, where female authority is almost systematically associated with manipulation, extreme coldness, or a total lack of empathy.

Rather than exploring a genuine range of female figures (a fair leader, a tyrant, a hesitant one, a visionary…), the series fails to depict the inner struggles of its female characters, particularly the main heroine. Instead, it suggests that matriarchy is merely an inverted reflection of a caricatured patriarchy.
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Now let’s analyze it in detail
Characters: unbalanced potential

The heroine: a central character weakened by poor writing
The greatest weakness of Glory lies in the writing of its heroine. Although she is portrayed as extremely intelligent, highly strategic, and determined, her decisions often lack empathy and overall coherence. Her success relies more on narrative convenience than on credible development, and she undergoes no true psychological or intellectual evolution by the end of the series.

Instead of emphasizing her radical choices as a consequence of her obligations and personality, the story places her in a romantic context and delivers an ending that is morally unsatisfying. Glory always belongs solely to her: she stands at the center of all resolutions, investigations, and victories. She decides everything—even what her sisters should do and how they should love.

Ultimately, this trajectory echoes the path of her grandmother in many aspects of her behavior. The script insists on portraying her as a victim of the system, yet she remains an all-powerful figure, without properly developed transitions. This prevents the audience from fully connecting with her or supporting her rise.
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Secondary characters: more nuanced than the protagonist
Paradoxically, some secondary characters—especially female ones—are extremely well written up until the middle of the series, creating genuine tension and curiosity about their human trajectories. However, all characters ultimately suffer a dramatic collapse, reduced to childish resolutions for the sole benefit of the heroine.
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The role of male characters in the narrative !
Male characters play an ambivalent role in Glory. They are not entirely erased, but they are largely confined to utilitarian functions: strategic allies, political pawns, or emotional levers used to advance or support the heroine’s journey.

Certain male conflicts (identity crises, family loyalty, ideological opposition to matriarchy) could have enriched the narrative, but they remain superficial. This creates the impression that men exist only to validate or obstruct the heroine’s path, without possessing any truly autonomous trajectory.
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Acting!
he main heroine was convincing in her acting at the beginning, but from the middle onward she became very repetitive and barely showed any emotions or range in her performance. Very limited.
Hou Ming Hao, despite his questionable place in the series, is very convincing and charming, and he understood his role well. He manages to create smooth transitions between a young, energetic, gentle, playful, calculating, kitten-like, and arrogant character.
The other characters are generally decent. One can note Ruo Xuan, who has a lot of unexploited potential, which is a shame, and Zhao Jia Min’s natural energ
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Toward a more coherent ending!
For the story to feel more logical, a more coherent ending should have been chosen—one that confronts the heroine with the consequences of her choices, rather than glorifying her actions. A more convincing conclusion could have shown:

1.Either a deep questioning of the matriarchal system itself, establishing a more balanced and egalitarian structure that includes both women and men. She could have left the family and started a new life on equal footing with a man who is extremely talented and intellectually equal to her.

2.Or a full acceptance of her choice—even with bitterness—by dedicating her entire life solely to tea and the family, accompanied by a genuine personal sacrifice.

Additionally, giving the sisters different endings—some more tragic, others distinct, with real power for certain characters—would have been an excellent choice in my view. Finally, the male lead could also have been granted a life beyond merely serving the heroine and the Rong family.

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Like the tension.

I watched this drama last year when i am on Guo Jing marathon. Never had impression of Wang Chao Yang before perhaps this is my first review about him. Make Up artist has grudge against Wang Chao Yang, what the hell with those over long eyebrow shape ?!

FL is naive and believes everyone except ML. ML is love-struck and adores her, even resorting to force to get her. The romance isn't sweet; FL was too conflicted, and ML's forceful love leads to a tug-of-war that culminates in real kisses. with a stronger sense of tension.

Still enjoy this version despite conflicted with FL characterization. Worth to watch

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WARNING !! A dark, bloody, and violent BL series

What does a dying person think about?
SYNOPSIS: Great, the son of a wealthy family and a student, meets Tyme, a surgeon thirsting for revenge the death of his parents. Great has the ability to see four minutes into the future. It's love at first sight beetwen them, but Great's family's activities are shady, illegal, and violent (gambling, corruption, etc.). At the same time, Great's friend, Title, kills a guy (Dome, a classmate). Tonkla, Dome's brother, with zero faith in the police, wants to revenge his brother

+++ Fantastic actors. All are convincing and talented, but Bible and Jes delivered a breathtaking performance.
+++ Well-crafted direction (lighting, framing, sets, pacing), including the intimate scenes (which, in my opinion, are necessary given the drama's hyper-realistic tone).
+++ Excellent OSTs that enhance the atmosphere.

### The timeline is rather confusing (multiple flashbacks of scenes [with different versions], a weird mix of different time periods, etc.). Jes and Bible's solid performances keep us glued to the screen, but... it's a mess in the viewer's brain (＞﹏＜) until the final episode (some explanations, but many plot holes remain).
### Very explicit sex scenes (including some with a minor actor [What are thinking his parents about ?]) and extreme violence: not for all viewers!

=> WARNING!! Intriguing, mysterious, harsh, and violent series. Now I need something cheesy and fluffy :)
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A dark, bloody, and violent BL series

SYNOPSIS: Great, the son of a wealthy family and a student, meets Tyme, a surgeon thirsting for revenge the death of his parents. Great has the ability to see four minutes into the future. It's love at first sight beetwen them, but Great's family's activities are shady, illegal, and violent (gambling, corruption, etc.).At the same time, Great's friend, Title, kills a guy (Dome, a classmate). Tonkla, Dome's brother, with zero faith in the police, wants to revenge his brother

+++ Fantastic actors. All are convincing and talented, but Bible and Jes delivered a breathtaking performance.
+++ Réalisat° bien travaillée (lumières, cadrages, décors, rythme) y compris sur les scènes intimes (à mon avis, nécessaires vu le ton hyper réaliste du drama)
+++ Excellentes OSTs qui renforcent l'atmosphère

### La timeline est plutôt confuse (multiples flashbacks de scènes [avec des versions différentes], weird mix of différentes époques, etc.). La solide performance de Jes et Bible nous maintient devant l'écran, mais ... c'est le bazar dans le cerveau du spectateur (＞﹏＜) jusqu'à l'épisode final (qq explicat° mais il reste bcp de plot holes).
### Scènes de sexe très explicites (y compris avec 1 acteur mineur) et ultra violence : pas pour tous les viewers !

=> WARNING !! Série intrigante, mystérieuse, dure et violente.
Now I need something cheesy and fluffy :)

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Everything could've been better

Honestly it was pretty mid I guess. The build up of their traumas did not have a satisfying resolutions at all. Kanade father's excuse for being an a-hole wasn't a good one and it was just swept under the rug. And I absolutely can't stand passive mothers who let their husbands act that way and expect their children to understand. Like no ma'am. You married him and know him like that, not your children. She is just as guilty. And the resolution of Mashiro's mom wasn't satisfying either. At least she woke up and started to make change, but my man did not get any healing or resolution, he just accepted the decisions others made about his own trauma. I like the couple though, but yeah the kisses were annoying. I rather not have them at all. Times have change and I just can't just accept lip press as a kiss.
I still enjoyed the watch for the most part but the things I listed really knocked this down for me. It really could have been better. The acting was pretty good except the kissing. Not mad that I watched it once, probably wouldn't rewatch it though.

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underdeveloped drama

I remember when i watch this drama last year because of Ge Xiao Xi but i ended up annoyed with her way of bringing FL characterization and those fake ass wig is too distracting.

The plot is basically about FL was being killed by her crush and reborn again she met ML whom she never met on her first time and trying to close to him.

Actually the beginning is good but underdeveloped character of FL makes me irritated she want to get revenge but all she do just being close to ML and worse of all the chemistry between Ge Xiao Xi and Meng Jia Hui looked too artificial and feels like Meng Jia Hui force himself to the wall.

Wont recommended this drama.

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Light drama but the romance feeling is bit too weak.

I watched this drama last year because of Wang Haozhen. Still great but not the best Wang Haozhen drama.

Plot is about Modern military doctor FL transmigrates into the body of the Princess, and goes from being enemies with ML to becoming inseparable and finally together. She initially thinks it's a dream, but as soon as she wakes up, the ML accuses her of having an affair and throws her into a lake. This hellish start is fortunate because the FL is a military doctor in a peacekeeping force, and she successfully breaks free from the restraints and escapes death.

The plot is smooth, lighthearted and funny, both the ML and FL are strong, not frustrating, the focus is on the plot, the romance between Wang Haozhen and Li Keyi relatively weak and the light comedy is strong thanks to Li Keyi.

The ending feels a bit rushed, and ML's dual personality is not fully developed, but it doesn't significantly affect the viewing experience.

Recommended to watch.

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Lovestruck in the City Is So Good

I have to say that this show is seriously good.

At first, I thought it was a mockumentary (my favourite genre) but the first episode almost made me skip it - I didn't understand where it was going,

I was not expecting to enjoy it or watch it to the end, but I have already watched it twice now. The casting was on-point and the chemistry between the actors/charactors is exactly what I look for when watching a show. Very enjoyable.

The kissing scenes were natural and fresh - they did not gross me out, and the comedy was ALWAYS funny.

Usually directors and screenwriters never really get the shout-outs they deserve. In this show director Park Shin-woo and screenwriters Jung Hyun jung and Jung Da-yeon did fantastically well. I will literally watch everything they are involved in from now on.
This show is a 10/10 for me, I loved it.
More Please!!

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KCIA drug smuggling operation during the military rule

The first episode on the hijacked plane was simply great, It was like a full movie, without any filler scemes. Tremendously entertaining and suspense filled. We are introduced to Baek Ki Tae and find out he's an intelligence agent hustling a side job.

In ep 2 as we're still wondering about how on earth can intelligence agents actually be running a drug production and smuggling operation, we get sidetracked into a story of a woman who returns to Korea and seems to be able to blackmail all of the men sitting at the top of the military junta. Baek Ki Tae is tasked with babysitting her. Ep 2 starts to fill me with doubts about the drama as queen Cho Yeo Jung's character is a totally pathetic character wanting to have a fling with Baek Ki Tae. But we get excellent comedic scenes with prosecutor Jang Gun Yeong (Jung Woo Sung) and his female sidekick (Seo Eun Soo) chasing after the ice cooker Dae Il.

By ep 3 the comedy is gone. We're thrown into internal intrigues in the intelligence agency and goverment top brass fighting each other (boring). For some reason we get short scenes of Baek Ki Tae's brother and sister. Their role in the drama remains vague as each have abt 5 mins of screentime.

Last 3 episodes, more of the same. Prosecutor fights hard, Baek Ki Tae fights back, big shots fight each other and we take sidetrips to Japan and back, Vietnam and back, each lasting about 5 mins. Barely time to drink a coffee in each destination, much less a beer. Much fighting. That's about it. Everything that could have been interesting, is glossed over.

The story of KCIA drug smuggling operation during the military rule had ingredients for a 30 episode drama. Yet they squeezed it into 6 episodes. Like a synopsis without well developed characters, without in-depth exploration of the historical background, without properly giving a life to all the players and characters involved. If this had been a c-drama (like Narcotic Operation) we'd have spent 3 episodes hanging out in Vietnam alone. Having a real heart to heart discussion over a beer.

I really didn't get Woo Do Hwan's role. It's not like we really got to know Baek Ki Tae's family. Or the yakuza family that had max 20 mins screentime during the whole run (so why even introduce it).

Yes, there's going to be S2, but I already struggled to keep up with the plot when the episodes were 1 week apart. Can't imagine to remember anything about this when S2 eventually drops.

I believe Disney had a full script but butchered it just like they did with Arthdal Chronicles' final season. Disney is all action and little character depth or world building.

Jung Woo Sung was absolutely stellar in this though. It's worth watching his acting which, as one of the reviews says, is like he was acting in the real masterpiece of a drama that Made in Korea could have been. I have to mention also Roh Jae Won, he was excellent. Hyun Bin's character is a ruthless murderer and drug trader and people mistook him for a good guy. He was pretty good and shed his usually goofiness but would have needed to go one step further to portray true evil (which can be done by small gestures).

This is a 7.5.

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Well its not like a usual rom com..it has a special knack for itself to make it unique

So after watching all the trailers and clips released obv i fiigured it will be a smooth ride of rom com
But i kinda liked tht they not only fully focused on the romance thingy..
The mental and psychological part was fine though they didnt show wht happend with her mother
But still its good to know she left it all and started a fresh beginning
I just want to say every drama is not fully perfect they have their own flaw ..and i kinda liked the flaw in this..many plot twist was one of the flaw i think like every was pushed in the final ep not a clear ending on the past..but for the future they gave a clear meaning too..
So watch it like its good i promise the visuals and all are breathtaking the osts are good too

Hope u find this helpful and sorry for my bad English 💙
Xoxo..!

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Beautiful until the last word

This drama completely won me over. I binged it in a day and a half and loved every moment. It made me laugh a lot and also hit emotionally in the right places. Visually, it’s stunning: the scenography, colors, and overall atmosphere were breathtaking and perfectly chosen.

Go Youn-jung was incredible, and Dorami deserves special mention. She’s a beautifully written character: wild, unfiltered, and fearless, bringing chaos and honesty exactly where the story needed it. Kim Seonho delivered a subtle yet powerful performance, especially through his eyes, and I have to give him huge credit for the effort he put into learning so many languages, especially Italian. As an Italian, I was genuinely proud. Their chemistry was completely on point, natural and electric, carrying the drama effortlessly.

The story was sweet and well-developed for most of its run, but the final twist disappointed me. The sudden reveal about her parents and her leaving felt rushed and unnecessary, hurting the emotional payoff. Still, despite the messy ending, this drama gave me so much and I genuinely loved it.

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