Reviews

Fun light dating show by the beach in Thailand

I always know I am enjoying a show when I have a smile on my face without realizing it.

This is a cute new dating show. I like the concept-- they pick dates based off the five senses. So far hearing and sight in first few episodes. The cast is international and everyone is filming while speaking English. They are friendly, especially the guys. The female cast seem a bit reserved, but the balance of what everyone prefers is on the mark. I love the living room set up for the cast in the main house, simple with a fun, slumber party feel. Couples that match get peaceful, thoughtful dates. A couple lucky ones have luxury nights together on Rak Rak Island. There is no commentary from a studio audience so the episodes are clean and easy to follow without a lot of interruptions or speculation. The food looks great and the beachside activities are healing and relaxing to watch. I feel like I am enjoying a vacation get away myself. Check Reddit for info on where to watch if you do not have Viu in your country.

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So goddamn sweet

Got me interested with the premise but sold me with the characters, and this one landed on my rewatch list by the end of the first episode.

There is something about this dynamic that I find so compelling. So we’ve got the Standard Issue Heir (to begin with, anyway, he does get some character development later) and the Tall Hottie, and one is constrained by family obligation while the other is constrained by disability. The series is basically about their love helping to heal each other from the damage of those constraints, and it is just beautiful. I was 100% there for all of it - every silly comedy moment, every argument, every kiss and look. Major, major props to the actors who did an incredible job with the sign language; it’s so visually satisfying.

This gets a huge recommendation from me and I don’t even really have any caveats, it’s just a damn good series. Not perfect because nothing is, but wow it’s a feel-good delight. Spoilers below because I just need to rave for a bit.

SPOILERS
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Okay can I just talk about how I was nearly shouting at Shaopeng for being so deeply insecure about his disability when it comes to relationships? Like, my guy. Let’s be real here. You are:
- six foot WHOAH
- hella cute
- a former taekwondo champion
- absolutely ripped
- strong enough to toss your boyfriend around like he’s weightless
- a very good cook
Believe me when I say that there are LEGIONS of people in this world who would climb you like a tree and swing from every branch if they thought they had a shot, so c’mon and develop some self-esteem here. Being deaf and mute is not the dealbreaker you think it is.

Jonathan. Oh my crispy fried crackers, JONATHAN. Was not expecting the comedy. Him variously flirting/messing with the wannabe gangster was hilarious. (Sidenote I am bad with names…) I 100% believe he is a power bottom and lying about it, and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

Shaopeng is the far more passionate one in the relationship and I DEEPLY appreciate that because it would have been so easy to make him unsure and somewhat passive. Instead, he is absolutely tear-all-our-clothes-off horny, and this has lead me to being certain of two things: one, he is 100% a top, and two, the sex is WILD.

THAT SCENE WHERE HE TOUCHES HIS THROAT SO HE CAN FEEL THE VIBRATIONS FROM ZIXIANG SAYING HIS NAME. Oh my stars I just about DIED. That, right there, is the kind of romance that deserves awards. We should all be so blessed as to receive that dreamy look of love from someone.

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Great budget

The cinematography was amazing. The graphics were super nice. The outfits were super nice and there were some entertaining parts I enjoyed. Everyone really looked their best and was so good looking. I didn’t enjoy the main leads romance as much it was just okay compared to the villain and the side characters love story. There were some really iconic scenes and it was very artistic. I enjoyed the beginning story and all the back stories but the politics got confusing. I liked that they added an alternative ending but it could have been a tad better. The sui brothers really drove the show. Overall a good watch but def not something I’ll think back constantly on.

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solid production but zero chemistry

First things first: I had high expectations for this series - sadly, they did not get met.

Let's start with the positive points though: The ghost story is interesting and there are a lot of Thai cultural and religious aspects included. I loved that the story was not just black and white - over the course of the series I really started feeling with the main 'villain' too. The production is also solid, there are many special effects and they did a surprisingly good job with them. I am personally not the biggest fan of horror, but I think the jump scares were placed well.

Now we need to talk about the weaknesses: There was absolutely zero chemistry between the main leads and I still have no idea whatsoever how they even fell in love in the current timeline - Peem was constantly mean towards Khem and there was also no enemies-to-lovers-tension that would have explained them falling for each other despite that (and no, one home-cooked meal cannot override all of the aversion between the two). The side couple was slightly better, but the only ones bringing across a truly convincing love story were actually Jin and Da. The tempo of the whole series was also waaaay too slow. I literally watched most of it with 1.5x or 2x speed in order to not fall asleep.

Overall, this would have been better if it wasn't a BL.

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Absolutely great, but couldve been better

Khemjira is seriously one of my favourite thai bls of all time, it will forever hold a special spot in my heart and i will never stop reccomending it. Especially as it introduced my to tlefirstone (and ive been obsessed with them ever since)
HOWEVER, as is the case with every series its not without its faults, ill try my best to keep this brief
1) for a horror, it wasnt scary pretty much at all and i even found the special effects a bit laughable at times
2) there is quite a few plotholes
3) the timeline doesnt really add up
4) rampheung deserved an apology !! Even a small one i felt so bad for her, her backstory is so sad
5) lastly, i saw this in another review and agreed so heavily with it, peem shouldve had a longer chasing arc. More of him proving himself to khem and trying to win his trust wouldve been nice if that makes sense

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Sweet but a bit psycho crown

This was an easy binge, with several sweet, intreating bad ass and evil characters. The plot was not really mind blowing or particularly suspenseful but it was just enough to keep me interested in pressing that next episode button.

The leads are both sweet, hot, cold and all round bad ass. While hot on their own, their chemistry is more of a puppy love, cuteness fluff than an exploding, longing sexual tension type o f deal. Its not that they do not deliver some pretty decent kisses and physical scenes, because they do but you can sense more sexual tension elsewhere.

All in all an not a bad watch.

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Lost it’s spark, too rushed

It’s no secret that I was never the biggest fan of squid games season one, but watching the second season, I finally came to appreciate the first season in its entirety. I strongly believe it should’ve been a show with a single season… but of course they couldn’t not take such a big opportunity to make money.

In the first season, everything felt so… well, real: the characters and their struggles were so intense yet realistic. Now the first mistake this season makes is introducing too much characters. How am I supposed to get invested in a character if their struggles are never shown? Secondly, the real world scenes of these characters were basically not there??? Why??? The second episode of the first season may have been boring to some but it was so freaking important for building the character and impact of their unavoidable demise.

Now, I cannot say that the cast isn’t immensely talented and that there aren’t some great cinematographic moments (not as great as the first season though) but it’s just… rushed.

Okay I’m tired of ranting about this show but just watch the first season and leave it at that. Otherwise the whole show will lose it’s impact and that really sucks.

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The Comedy Timing in This Drama Was Top Tier

As someone who is not a regular C-drama watcher, I was very hesitant to start Pursuit of Jade. Before this, I had only watched Hidden Love, The First Frost, When I Fly Towards You and Falling Into Your Smile. This was actually my first historical/ancient-style C-drama, so I was unsure if I would enjoy the genre.

The main reason I picked this drama was because of all the hype around its rating. Seeing it rise to 9.3 and later settle around 9.1 made me curious, although I was still very picky about starting it because 40 episodes felt like a huge commitment. Thankfully, the beginning made it very easy to continue watching.

The story starts off very strong. The first 15–20 episodes were simple, entertaining, and extremely enjoyable. Later on, once more twists, secrets, and court politics were introduced, the story became much more complex compared to the earlier episodes. While the plot was still interesting, it definitely became slower and harder to follow at times.

One of the biggest strengths of the drama was its comedy. The humor felt natural, and the comic timing from the cast was excellent. Watching a historical drama mix emotional scenes with genuinely funny moments made the show much more enjoyable. The comedy never felt forced and became one of the highlights of the entire series for me.

Both leads, Zhang Linghe as Marquis of Wu’an and Tian Xiwei as Fan ChangYu, did an amazing job. Their on-screen chemistry was one of the main reasons I kept watching. They both carried their characters with strong presence, and I really enjoyed how their character development was handled throughout the drama.

For the villain side, Deng Kai as Qi Min did a great job creating tension and fear whenever he appeared on screen. His relationship with Snow Kong/Yu Qian Qian had an interesting hate-love dynamic that made their scenes memorable. However, I do feel the writers could have done more justice to the villain arc because the character had a lot more potential than what we eventually got.

The third lead couple, the Grand Princess and the Headmaster, were unexpectedly one of the most lovable parts of the show. Their scenes were hilarious, charming, and refreshing. I honestly wish they had more screen time because every moment involving them was entertaining.

Overall, I really enjoyed the drama. The first 20–30 episodes were especially strong and very addictive to watch. Once the heavier court politics and twists started taking over, the pacing became slower and more complicated. Since I personally enjoy war scenes and action moments, I also wish we had gotten more battle scenes and more fights involving Marquis of Wu’an. Most of his major action moments happened only when Fan ChangYu was involved, and I would have loved to see more of his battlefield aura and fighting abilities throughout the drama.

Even with some pacing issues in the second half, Pursuit of Jade was still a very enjoyable experience for someone completely new to historical C-dramas. The chemistry, comedy, and performances made it worth the watch.

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Plot is nothing new, great chemistry, great actors

Splendid Match surprised me in many ways. It’s not a drama with groundbreaking storytelling or shocking twists, but what it does well is create a balanced mix of family drama, romance, friendship, and political schemes that slowly pulls you in.

Plot & Story

The drama can roughly be divided into three stages.

The first part focuses on the FL right after her coming-of-age ceremony, where we mainly see her dealing with family conflicts, social expectations, and the complicated environment around her wealthy household.

The second part is where the story becomes emotionally stronger. After facing the tragedy of losing her mother, the FL slowly matures and becomes more grounded. This is also where her relationship with the ML truly shines. Instead of rushing into romance, the drama allows them to slowly build trust, friendship, and mutual understanding first.

The final part shifts more heavily into politics, marriage, and power struggles. We see the ML navigating dangerous political schemes while trying to protect both his position and the woman he loves. The political plot itself is not particularly new or complex compared to heavier political dramas, but it blends well with the romance and family themes without becoming overwhelming.

Overall, the drama’s strength lies in its balance. It gives viewers a little bit of everything — family, romance, friendship, and political maneuvering — while keeping the emotional focus on the characters.

Male Lead – Ci Sha

Some viewers may find the ML “boring” because he is not written as the typical revenge-driven or emotionally explosive male lead. Instead, he is portrayed as mature, intelligent, and emotionally restrained from the start — a young Grand Secretary who is already powerful, politically clever, and respected.

Ci Sha was honestly a pleasant surprise for me. At first, I thought he mainly relied on his strong physical presence, masculine aura, and intense gaze. But as the story progressed and the layers of his character slowly unfolded, he showed far more acting range than I expected.

He convincingly portrayed:

* a soft-hearted man deeply in love,
* a calculating strategist and cunning politician,
* a disappointed uncle to his adopted nephew who failed him
* and a ruthless warrior during battle scenes.

The best part is ne delivered everything with full commitment.

Female Lead – Ren Min

The FL starts off somewhat immature, but the drama clearly establishes early on that she is intelligent, observant, and capable. She is beautiful, wealthy, and sharp-minded — qualities that naturally draw the ML toward her.

Perhaps because Ren Min and Ci Sha had worked together before, their chemistry feels incredibly natural. The tension between them is not loud or exaggerated. Instead, it comes through subtle pauses, lowered gazes, awkward silences, and restrained expressions during their early encounters. The internal tension between the characters is obvious even when very little is being said.

Ren Min portrayed this beautifully. As the character matures emotionally throughout the story, her performance also becomes stronger and more layered.

Overall, Splendid Match may not reinvent the genre, but it delivers a very satisfying slow-burn romance with layered characters, strong chemistry, beautiful visuals, and enough political intrigue to keep the story engaging.

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A Splendid Match indeed: The Plot Was Still Loading ....And Yet I Gobbled It Up ??

A splendid match indeed… 😄 I loved this drama. I went in expecting romance, intrigue, wit, drama, smart female lead, sexy male lead, all the flair and beautiful chaos that Cdramas usually promise… and surprisingly, I got exactly that.

The drama had good pacing, solid chemistry, and some genuinely great acting from almost the entire cast. Also, can we please talk about the ML for a second? The man seriously deserves more main roles. I first noticed him in Forever and Ever and he has that rare old school masculine charm that is becoming harder to find lately. Very manly, intense, loyal, quietly obsessed in love type of lead 😄 and he carries it naturally without trying too hard.

The FL was clever without becoming annoying, and together they balanced each other really well. Their banter, tension, emotional moments and teamwork made the drama very enjoyable to watch. Also loved Chenqiang and the little emperor 😄 They honestly added so much heart, humour and charm to the drama. I think Chenqiang honestly had one of the best endings. Sad, but meaningful. He died becoming exactly what he always wanted to be for his father… a true general. There was honour in it, purpose in it, and it felt complete in a way some other storylines did not. At first I was actually rooting for the nephew with the FL 😭😄 But by the end I dropped him like a hot potato.
I really cannot stand men who stay silent, never boldly confess their feelings, leave the woman hanging emotionally… and then suddenly become deranged and possessive the moment she starts moving on. Sir, you had your chance LOL. So in a way, the acting was actually pretty solid. Even the ML jealousy felt very real 😄 There was never an actual breakup or mistrust in the relationship. It was more the ML struggling internally with the fact that his own nephew was the FL’s first love. His pride and emotions could not fully digest it.
And because the FL never directly told him herself, it left room for insecurity to grow in his mind. Not that he thought she was betraying him, but more that a part of him feared she may still have lingering feelings. Honestly, the tension and awkwardness in those scenes were acted really well. I actually loved that moment when the FL basically went “hang it, I have not done anything wrong so why should I feel guilty?” 😄
And honestly, she was right. She did not cheat, lie or betray anyone. She simply had a past before him. It was refreshing seeing a FL stand her ground instead of endlessly apologising for existing while the man spirals in jealousy LOL.

That said, even though I thoroughly enjoyed it, there were still some niggly bits that could have been handled much better. The whole secret sect storyline felt underdeveloped in the end. It was introduced with so much mystery and importance, but then parts of it just faded away without proper payoff. Some characters never really got the ending they deserved either. A few events were wrapped up with one brief mention and then left hanging very vaguely… LOL. You can tell there were probably scenes or explanations missing somewhere.

Sigh.....That ending really said “you guys figure out the rest yourselves” 😭😄
Yes it was happy… technically. But after all the suffering, plotting, near deaths, sacrifices and emotional damage, I wanted proper peaceful moments. Give me domestic happiness. Give me family scenes. Give me the couple breathing normally for once LOL. Instead the drama wrapped things up quickly and left half the future to my imagination.

Still, despite the flaws, this was one of those dramas that kept me entertained from start to finish. Romance, tension, good looking leads, palace intrigue, emotional moments and enough chemistry to keep you hooked. Definitely worth the watch.

Was the review helpful? Maybe not? Maybe this drama may not work for everyone 😄 But for me, I simply expressed what I saw, enjoyed and emotionally spat out while watching it LOL. I liked the chemistry, the jealousy, the tension, the smart FL, the emotionally constipated men, the palace chaos and even the messy unfinished bits. Was the plot groundbreaking? No. Did I still gobble it up episode after episode? Absolutely 😭😄

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