Reviews

Sweet romance between food vlogger and orthopaedic surgeon

I got to know about this drama through subreddit CShortDramas. I like Shi Yue Yue and Duan Mei Yang's acting but wow, I didn't expect to thoroughly enjoy the drama. I was giddy with excitement while watching it - well most of the time.

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - She was cheerful, charming & confident. She was also a good cook & a foodie!
2. Romance - She courted him first. I liked her forwardness and that her moves never crossed the line - she wasn't a stalker. Their romance was sweet with slight spice. I loved that she cooked for him.
3. Medical - It's great that the ML was an orthopaedic surgeon. I enjoyed the medical scenes.
4. Acting - Splendid performances by both Shi Yue Yue and Duan Mei Yang. They had great chemistry. The cast also did well in their roles.
5. ML characterisation - He never paid attention to ladies who developed crush on him but he finally fell for her charms. I liked his professionalism and his protectiveness of FL.
6. Supporting characters - I really liked ML's male colleague and the nursing staff. Boy, I wish I could join the nurses and cheer for FL & ML pairing.
7. Food - I also loved all the food scenes from cooking and having meals together to remembering each other's food aversion / preference.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - ML's female colleague was possessive of ML and envious of FL. It was unprofessional of her to sabotage FL's recovery. I disliked her for manipulating ML's mother.
2. Stalker - Wow that was scary.

Favourite scene
FL & ML's kiss outside of the hospital

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I have a mixed feelings about this show. The individual cases are really good. It highlights common issues either in Korea or in the world such as animal abuse, child abuse (Elijah case), immigrants and workplace harrasment. The backstory of each cases are also written quite well. The tense of each case and the tense when they're handling each case is really enjoyable. Those things are enough to keep you invested. However, several things are still disturbing me.

The trial processes are mostly unconvincing because each side sometimes pull something unusual, but it's still bearable. Also the case resolutions often involve something excessive, such as changing the law or sudden adoption, yet I still consider this tolerable. However, everything outside the cases is just really uncompelling. The one that annoys me a lot is the poor chemistry on the "original" Pro Bono Team. I'm talking about the original team, so let's exclude Kang Da Wit. This team is just a bunch of sycophants who blindly follow whatever Gi Ppeum says. Take example on Kaya's divorce case: It doesn't need a legal degree to understand that a divorce case normally isn't a public interest. Da Wit acknowledges this issue, while Gi Ppeum still wants to take this case. Most attorneys should be taking Da Wit's side, or at least consider this opinion. However all of the Pro Bono Team takes Gi Ppeum side without any doubt, 4 to 1. During Da Wit's abuse of power case, nobody takes his side after hearing the story from him. So all the chemistry buildings that took place previously are useless and in the end, they're all still Gi Ppeum's lapdogs. Also the writer forgot about the private investigator hired by Da Wit, and Yu I Na— the one Da Wit suspects at the beginning.

With this level of chemistry, the cast has became a waste. Don't get me wrong, Jung Kyung Ho and So Ju Yeon do well here. However putting Yoon Na Moo and Seo Hye Won as main leads? Their characters aren't really impactful, especially Nan Hui who mostly shouts and cries. Some of the witnesses and perperators are not convincing though.

Is it a good show? Yes probably, for a one time watch though. I don't think I want to rewatch it.

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Hooray for Vigilante Justice

I don’t get the super harsh reviews. Was the story perfect? Nah, but it was close. And who doesn’t like the bada** good guys beating up the baddies?

First off, the ensemble cast was great. Bogum was perfect as the lead and displayed and wide range of emotions with ease. You really felt what his character felt, laughing, crying, or pissed as hell when he did. The rest of the main cast were also very like-able and they had excellent chemistry. And Oh Jung Se nailed his role as the villain.

Actions scenes were consistently exciting, heart-pumping, and cool to watch. The choreography was so fun, and it never felt repetitive. The time and effort that went into them was evident. The OST also added a lot to the action.

Story wise, it wasn’t super original (not the first time we’ve seen action hero/police officers vs bad guys). However, it didn’t deter from my enjoyment or wanting to know how things would shake down. The only weak/unfinished parts were 1) Dong-ju’s physical health. I was expecting them to come back to it at the end, but it was suddenly okay. I was surprised they didn't cover how it psychologically affected him, and it would have added more depth and emotion to that plot point. 2) Ha-na’s mother. I didn’t think her character was absolutely necessary. There was some sort of arc, but not till the end, and her character was just irritating. Their relationship repairing didn’t need to happen. 3) Ha-na and Dong-ju’s relationship. As cute as it was, we didn’t get to see enough of it. Ha-na acted as a great support for Dong-ju and they had sweet/spicy moments, but after the relationship was first established it took a back burner to the main plot. Things were always just good between them, and it would have been nice to see the ups and downs or further development.

That being said, I really enjoyed this one! I was rooting for the right people the whole time, and it was never boring. Sometimes you just need a satisfying watch and it’s okay if it’s not perfect. It was exactly as advertised and a good time. Would watch again!

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A mediocre remake of "Revenge"

Wanvela (the main protagonist) projects herself as this charming, well-spoken, and unassuming lady but little do people know that she's on a mission to tear down a wealthy, powerful family that mistreated her and her parents in the past. Kanisorn (the main antagonist), the matriarch of the wealthy family, is highly suspicious of her and (correctly) deduces that she has ulterior motives—the matriarch's son and grandson get charmed by Wanvela and to name a few.

But that's only the beginning of the show's troubles—the acting is dry and cringe at times, the rather predictable plot is drawn out and introduces many unnecessary additions, and the ending is, to put it bluntly, poorly executed.

In a nutshell, Lying is a remake of the critically-acclaimed American TV show "Revenge". A good idea and concept, but the execution and presentation are, at best, mediocre.

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My Boyfriend 'Could' Be An Idol!

When I first heard about 'My Bias Is Showing', I screamed my lungs out, as I have seen or read the synopsis of the series here before it's premiere. I was hoping to see some concerts and high class performances similar to K-pop Idols, as I'm a huge fan too.

I raised my hopes too high, but this focused on the relationships part between the main leads and the side couple. It was mainly about the plot, not the music and performances people. Again, the mains' love (Choi Siyeol and Ae Najoon) bloomed later in the series, as they encountered so many problems...when tried talking it out, it wouldn't turn out perfect.

For a matter of fact, we had 10 episodes here, which is somehow rare for a Korean BL series.

They should have sticked to a high budget for quality production, and this could have been the BEST show. For now, I'd say its watchable because Kevin and his partner can portrayed these characters exceptionally good. Their facial expressions and emotions are well delivered and on point, engaging to the viewers at large.

Is it worth watching? I would say YES!
Should you recommend it to others? Probably, because OUR tastes and preferences vary.

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The racer and the doctor both failed at their jobs but won in love

A doctor who will cure your disease ❌
A doctor who will make you gay ✅

I don't watch verticals as their lack of depth doesn't pull me in, but when this was released, the YT recommendation pinned it on my forehead that I SHOULD watch it.

I wasn't sure why I should watch this, but the first episode was... well, that convinced me to watch the whole series. And guess what? I DON'T REGRET A THING!
Storyline wise, it's dubious, nonsensical, wacky, trashy but SOO GOOD!!! ✋🤣
The acting is decent, don't expect too much, the background music was well-chosen as they fitted every situation. And OH MY...the chemistry was *chef's kiss*. There was some awkwardness between the two, especially in the kissing scenes, but negligible.

So don't believe my words, just watch it. It's so damn entertaining that you'll actually forget to use the brain 👏🤡❤️‍🔥
P. S: I hope you never meet this doctor in your life, but what about your fever dreams? Sure! 😹

My rating is based on the entertainment value only, as it was wayyyy superior to the logic (was there any? Idc lol) or the storyline👌🌝

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i <3 ML

found this on a tiktok summary thing lol. watched it for the MCs. why is the main guy so BHAD. EXACTLY MY TYPE IN LOOKS.

i literally skipped all eps just to see the main couple scenes. ML lowk pmo cuz why was he doing all that and not saying anything. he had no internal talk lmfao i was so confused what he was doing. there were some cute scenes so good ig! very typical and predictable story tho and the second lead girl PMOOOO i hated her sm. character development was nice and also the FMC PMO TOO. cuz why was she so dumb

i love a good grudge holder sometimes tho. mm. i loved how she held him out after he wronged her. as she should.

their first meeting tho was MUAH chefs kiss. but their relationship progressed way too fast. i love a good build up and solid reasoning why someone liked someone. but this legit was like “omg he gave me potatoes and my best friend likes him—now let’s date!” like????

and what the balls was that ending???? like made no sense how did they just get together so quickly . i wish FMC stayed set on her initial goal.

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A drama that reminds us that we shouldn't stop fighting for justice

Pro Bono is the first legal kdrama I have watched. I went into it pretty much blindly and I didn't have any particular expectations. And yet it turned out to be one of the most profound dramas I've watched.

In a legal context, the term "pro bono" is used in order to describe legal work for a client with low income. Pro Bono teams do not charge their clients, in fact they represent them for free. Therefore, in a world where those with money have better chances in court as long as they can afford a competent attorney, a pro bono team is like an oasis for people who are less fortunate.

As someone who is not familiar with the law field, aside from some basic knowledge, Pro Bono helped me open my eyes even more regarding the justice system in South Korea. Once I learned that the writer of the drama used to be a judge, it made sense to me how the series was able to portray the court process and the laws so accurately. And most importantly: the writer's intention to raise more awareness about the flaws in the justice system became more clear.

Pro Bono was a breath of fresh air. In an era where we see more and more discrimination against minorities and where common citizens do not have the power nor the foundation to fight for their rights, Pro Bono offers a small fragment of hope. Naturally, society will not change overnight. It's not an easy task to reshape the public's opinion about certain topics and it's also very difficult to try and introduce new legal laws regarding these issues.

Even though Pro Bono is a fictional series, one that people could argue about its tendency to give a "fairy tale like" conclusion to each case, I firmly believe that the hopeful tone and the team's achievements played a fundamental role in the drama's reception. South Korean and international viewers (myself included) need more stories that are not afraid to address important issues while maintaining an optimistic view.

Deep down, all of us want to cling even to the smallest hint of hope about a better future. It would be ideal if our world could improve rapidly in order to turn into a place where people will be treated equally, no matter their background, sexuality, gender or social status. But we don't live in a utopia. Such world cannot fully exist, something that even the drama itself acknowledges. And yet, Pro Bono always showcased how important it is to stand up for your rights and raise your voice. Ignorant and power-hungry people exist but so do people who are willing to offer their unconditional support.

While Pro Bono presented some ideal scenarios for the clients and society in general, the drama does not turn a blind on what is going on in the real world. Almost every episode tackles different themes. Animal abuse, abortion rights, corruption, religion, sexism to name a few of them. The writer addresses these global matters through the lens of korean society and reality is a slap on the face. Pro Bono doesn't try to twist reality. It highlights social conflicts and through pro bono's team's navigation, it shows that we need to keep striving for a better world. Change will not always come quickly but the more persistent we are, the more successful we can become.

The writing of the drama was very interesting and each episode offered something new. Each different case contributed to the progress of the story and the characters' development and in the end, everything was wrapped in a very satisfying way. I really liked the dialogues too, they never came across as too preachy. There were various profound moments that made me pause for a moment and register what I had heard. I really wish I could go into detail about the quotes that left a big impact on me but if I were to do so, this review would turn into a whole thesis.

What I appreciated about this drama is that it brought light on various themes which are not that common in kdramas. Discussions about abortion, the treatment of people with disabilities or immigrants aren't spoken of a lot so watching a series that addressed these matters with respect was pleasantly surprising. Pro Bono didn't hesitate to call out South Korea's hypocrisy regarding the legal (and ethical) issues and it painted the plain truth without sugar coating it.

The characters were a very charming aspect of the story (for the most part at least). I instantly fell in love with Da Wit's character, he might have come across as ignorant but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Da Wit had experienced firsthand what it felt like to be wronged and thus, he decided to become a judge who would be there for those without enough power to defend themselves. He was competent and I always had a blast watching him put the perpetrators in their place. Throughout the whole series, we see his character unfold more and more and the more I learned about him, the more I appreciated and understood him.

The rest of the characters were equally engaging. The pro bono team was fun to watch and I liked how each one of them had different traits and motivations while some of them had their own demons to fight, too. Itwas nice to see them getting their time to shine in different cases. They were determined to help the victims no matter what and thanks to Da Wit, they became more confident in their abilities. I loved this found family so much, it was heartwarming to see how Da Wit helped them develop as attorneys and how the team, in return, made Da Wit not look down on them.

The acting was another strong factor. This was my first time watching anything with Jung Kyung Ho and it's safe to say that I'm already a fan. The way he carried himself around fully encapsulated Da Wit's confident and yet so caring personality. Even when he didn't have any lines to deliver, his eyes and expressions alone were enough to understand how he felt. He portrayed so many different emotions and aspects of Da Wit's character and I couldn't take my eyes off him everytime Da Wit was at the court. He radiated a commanding energy that made you unable to ignore him or the points he made, all thanks to Kyung Ho's performance.

So Ju Yeon as Gi Ppeum was another part of the cast I really liked. I liked how she used her face to express her emotions, especially when Gi Ppeum felt disheartened and sad for the victims. Gi Ppeum alone was a very interesting character, considering her history with Da Wit and Ju Yeon elevated her even more. Another actress I especially liked was Lee Yoo Young, who portrayed Oh Jung In. She had excellent chemistry with Kyung Ho and her acting was always on point. Jung In was a very intriguing character of her own and Yoo Young did a great job showcasing her different aspects. The rest of the actors did a great job too, no matter how big or small their role was.

Pro Bono certainly did a wonderful job portraying so many different themes and problems, however, I believe that the writing could have been tighter in some areas. Because of the big variety in cases and legal issues, some problems seemed to be brushed off compared to others. It's logical that the writer would have prioritized some aspects more compared to others but if some cases were less complex and focused on a specific problem at the time, I think that the writer would have the freedom to fully flesh them out.

For example, I would have liked it if the drama had addressed the abortion issue on episodes 3 and 4 a little bit better. It was very positive to see that the mother wasn't framed as a bad person and that the drama attempted to show that abortion should always be an option, but the conclusion of this case left a kinda bitter taste in my mouth.

The last episodes did a good job wrapping up the story but had the drama been longer, I believe that the ending would have been even more smooth. The writing of the pro Bono team felt bizarre, I totally understand that they were in a difficult position but considering their team work with Da Wit, their dislike towards him didn't make much sense. They were always so open to hear the victims but when it came to Da Wit, they turned their eyes away and only Na Hui considered his own perspective.

I understand that the last episodes served as the final arc for the team but the execution could have been better. I didn't hate the pro bono team but after having watched them work alongside Da Wit for 9 episodes, this sudden shift was too absurd. The built-up could have been better, like have the team question Da Wit's methods more in the earlier episodes or tone down their attitude towards him. Additionally, Jun U could have been handled better, compared to the rest of the members, he came across as too one-dimensional at times. I understand that he was afraid of losing his job but his character should have been explored more besides this superficial portrayal.

However, even though some decisions could have been different, the ending remained very good. Pro Bono remained consistent from the beginning to the very end and the payoff was more than satisfying. Everything came together and the writer left no room for further questions. I was watching the last episode in awe and once I was done, I was left with a bittersweet taste for I had to say goodbye to the pro bono team I came to love.

Pro Bono is definitely one of the most thought-provoking and vital kdramas out there. I strongly recommend it if you're searching for a story that addresses important matters. It's not the type of series you watch to distract yourself from reality because Pro Bono presents the world we live in but it's the type of drama you watch in order to remind to yourself that it's always worth fighting for the truth, no matter what. Justice is one of the most complex subjects in our society. We don't live in a perfect world which treats people equally but we can always find ways to educate ourselves and improve as a whole. I am very thankful for having watched Pro Bono and it's a drama that will occupy my thoughts for a very long time.

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A String of Fate, Unraveled: An Exploration of Ruin, Redemption, and Human Nature

“Protecting humans is my duty, but falling in love with you was instinct.”

Do not listen, read, or watch anything related to this drama aside from the trailer. If the provided material piques your interest, just watch it. I’ve seen a lot of hate circulating around this drama and honestly, it’s really not necessary. I’d encourage you all to take the baseless negativity with a grain of salt. If you want to watch this drama, just go for it!

I’ll rate this drama using my personal criteria, called ‘CASES’ that looks at the following: cinematography, acting, storyline, experience, and soundtrack. I’ll break down each one individually.

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 5/5
Lighting: 5/5
Camerawork: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5

The CGI is immaculate, no flaws there whatsoever. I haven’t followed this drama since it’s early production, but based on the behind the scenes clips, you can tell that the entire crew poured their entire heart and soul into its creation. The visual, creative, and drama directors especially deserve a whole standing ovation for their devotion to the craft. The sets, cinematography, and worldbuilding for Xiao Yao are truly unlike anything I’ve seen before (at least in a Chinese drama production). It doesn’t take a seasoned drama viewer to tell that every shot, camera angle, lighting, and setting were made with intention. The directors like to challenge themselves, playing with various different shots, manipulating the elements within the shot, and just making use of every tool in their toolbox to craft a scene that’s not only visually-appealing, but one that evokes hidden meanings here and there. There is almost a hyperactive attention to detail, and it’s precisely this quality that sets Xiao Yao apart from other dramas. You’re not just watching moving pictures, you’re being pulled into that alternate universe. The soundtrack is god-tier, with each song being replayed over and over again until my YouTube crashes. You have those slow, melancholic tracks like ‘Parting in the Mortal Realm’; epic, high-fantasy ones like ‘Embers’, and light, upbeat ones like ‘Mirror’. The lyrics to all of the songs are meaningful, poignant, and befitting for the story. Through the dramas top-notch production and attention to detail, I truly felt like I was transported into the world of ‘Xiao Yao’ from the comfort of my own bed. It’s truly magical.

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ACTING - 5/5
Naturalness: 5/5
Characterization: 5/5
Chemistry: 5/5
Charisma: 5/5

Acting. God, where do I even start? I’ll toss it right out from the getgo: Seven Tan and Hou Minghao were an unexpected duo that somehow managed to sweep me off my feet. I’ll admit that I went into this drama without much expectations. I’ve never seen any of Seven Tan’s works. HMH is one of my favorite actors and is the one who sets the BAR for what acting SHOULD be. In the past, I’ve never really found anyone who could ‘match’ his level of skill, but Seven Tan completely changed my perspective. When you’re watching dramas, there is always one actor who’s delivering more than the other. Sometimes, you can see the discrepancy between their level of skill (it may be subtle or obvious), but I didn’t see that here at all. Seven Tan’s performance was natural. She is one of the few actresses who can act cute without giving the audience second hand embarassment. She breathed Xiao Yao’s bubbly, likeable character to life; HMH gave an impeccable performance that was able to capture Hong Ye’s gentleness and compelxity. Their chemistry is ‘fluctuant’ in the sense that they have good chemistry as friends off-screen, and ones as lovers when the lights turn back on. Their chemistry is not overt, but subtle and filled with tension. The drama itself is a slow-burn, probably almost pain-stakingly so for some people. However, this is precisely what allows their romance to progress naturally. Let me tell you. When I realized that this was taking that slow-burn route, I rejoiced: “Yes!! They’ll know eachother’s names when they kiss! They’ll know eachother’s names, everybody!” Both actors excel at micro expressions, and this is especially useful for slow-burn romances where you’re able to pick up on these subtle changes as the story progresses— how that initial, cold gaze belonging to a demon who has fortified his walls crumbles in the face of his destined one. I didn’t see the chemistry or vision at first, but over time, I got converted. I am now a member of the Seven Tan cult (and a long-standing member of the HMH one), and I can only thank Xiao Yao for pairing them up and allowing these two actors to showcase their abilities!

No complaints for the rest of the cast. Acting is not something you will have to worry about when watching this drama. Here, we have a lineup of seasoned actors and actresses who know how to act through their eyes, breathing their characters to life and delivering a convincing performance throughout.

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STORYLINE - 4.4/5

Premise: 4/5
Plot holes - 4/5
Flow - 4/5
Pacing - 4/5
Ending - 5/5
Predictability - 4/5
Relationship development - 5/5
Character development: 5/5
Worldbuilding: 5/5

Let’s hop onto the meat of the review, shall we?

News flash: this drama tethers on two extremes. When it’s sweet, it’s tooth-decayingly sweet. When it’s sad, it’s a soul-crushing blow. This drama made me cry bitterly, but it also made me smile in front of my laptop like an idiot.

Xiao Yao is what I would conider an ‘escapism grounded in reality’. The narrative sheds light on human nature and it’s various facets, toys with your moral compass, makes you doubt your own principles, and ultimately raises the question “who is truly in the wrong?”.

The essence of this drama, I find, is contained in this quote: “In todays world, have humans and demons truly become indistinguishable?”

The whole theme of demons vs humans is nothing new to xianxia and has always been a ‘black and white’ sort of debate. You will typically see humans portrayed as the good ones and demons as the bad ones (or vice versa), but this is my first time seeing a drama that makes it so both sides are equally flawed. In Xiao Yao, every character (no matter human or demon) has a reason behind their actions, and oftentimes, that ‘reasoning’ is identical. The lines become blurred, and the moment that veil of prejudice is lifted, you realize that the demons and humans are actually cut from the same cloth; instintiguishable from eachother.

A Chinese idiom I find is the ‘foundation’ for Xiao Yao’s plot is 冤冤相報 (Yuān yuān xiāng bào), which directly translates to "grievance upon grievance, mutual retribution." The complicated entanglements between the leads, and just the entire story in general, is just a deep-dive into what’s right and wrong, what’s considered just and unjust, and who is truly worthy of sympathy.

That being said, it’s hard to hate any character in this drama. Even the villains have souls, with the overarching ‘villain’ being quite whimsical and cute, such as Hei Wu.

Hei Wu is a compelling villain because, despite lacking a backstory, his personality and comedic adlibs makes a ‘flat’ character like him just as lovable as the others.

The plot is truly a wild-card. Just when you think they’re going to recycle all of the common tropes already explored in xianxia, they do something completely different. Xiao Yao’s plot is complex, layered, and isn’t the typical ‘3 lives’ theme explored in dramas like TMOPB. It may seem that way at first, but as the story progresses and the revelation finally hits you, you realized that you’ve been bamboozled. In that regard, this drama scores a moderate in predictability. It starts off predictable at first, but as the story gradually unfolds, you’d find that your deductions were wrong and that it’s going to take a completely different approach than what you originally thought.

Pacing-wise, it’s definitely on the slower side. This may deter those who aren’t a fan of slow burn romances, but as someone who goes rabid for that trope, I found that Xiao Yao delivers quite well in this aspect. The storyline is a perfect balance between character and plot, so even when the romance is seemingly lacking, the plot grips you enough so that watching doesn’t feel like a chore. That being said, the ‘slow’ aspect of the plot is not just a stylistic choice; it’s calculated and intentional.

Characters are also layered and well-written. We have a plethora of seemingly ‘irredeemable’ villains with the purest of souls, and ‘innocent’ characters who are hateful go the core. There are many characters, but I’d like to expand on a select few who stood out to me the most.

Bing Zhu is a morally-upright character who cycles through a dramatic character arc. He starts off as a character unshakeable in his principle to a man who eventually loses sight of them. BZ is compelling in this regard because he represents the ever-changing nature of the human heart, showing how it’s the most testable thing in this world. His characterization delves into the question: In the face of countless setbacks, who’s heart can remain eternally pure?

Xiao Yao is truly a remarkable and mature female lead who was strong willed from beginning to end. Her character doesn’t change much throughout the story, but she is in no way two-dimensional. She’s layered, entertaining, witty, and surprisingly relatable. Overall, I’d consider her to be the ‘constant’ who drives the plot forward. She is someone who navigates using both her heart and mind, governing with reason while never truly losing sight of her own beliefs. Overall, a very well written FL.

Hong Ye is the most complex and intriguing character of them all. If Xiao Yao is the constant, he’s the variable that is ever-changing. He goes through a series of major character arcs in which he gets pushed to hell and back, building his character. You see him get ‘beat into shape’, basically. He’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s the demarcation between black and white. His origin story is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, and HMH did a great job at breathing his role to life. His character will definitely have a special place in my heart, and his story is one that’ll leave an everlasting impact on me for a long, long time. I won’t forget about him, that’s for sure.

The relationship between Hong Ye and Xiao Yao is pure and healthy (despite what they’ve been through). For once, I feel like I’m watching a drama where the two leads are actual adults— not some 12 and 16 year old. Communication isn’t a barrier here, no no. We have a couple who actually knows how to use their mouths to talk to eachother. When things go wrong, both the male and female lead know how to take the initiative in order to smooth things over, handling conflicts in a patient manner. You’re also not getting love triangles here (well, maybe a love pentagon?), so theres no hair-pulling miscommunication in that aspect. All in all, I’m incredibly pleased with the way their relationship is portrayed. Miscommunication is fun when it’s in moderation. Sometimes, a healthy cp who knows how to talk to eachother is very much needed!

Good things aside, I just have a few complaints about the plot that I’ll throw out here. The pacing was slow and calculated for the first half, but sped up considerably towards the end. At some point, it did seem a bit rushed, but fortunately it anchored itself on the last few episodes. In addition, there were also some aspects of the plot that could’ve been resolved. Not ‘plot holes’ necessarily— just characters who deserved a bit more closure towards the end because their story either felt incomplete or ended too abruptly. Just fixing up those loose ends, that’s all!

Finally, some people say that the drama ended off weak, but I would honestly say the opposite. It started off strong and ended just as strong. Sure, it was a bit rocky towards the end in terms of pacing, but I personally liked the ending a lot and found it to be incredibly thought-provoking. The ending is like: “If I could start from the very beginning, even if it meant overcoming those obstacles, I’d be willing to stake it all in one throw just to see you again” or “I am a protector of all beings, someone who is meant to be selfless— but for you, I am willing to be selfish for once.”

It’s been a while since I initially felt so conflicted with the ending, but after staring at the ceiling for a good hour after the final episode, I was like: “damn.. that was a good ending.”

Mind you, when i completed that final episode, I was pacing around my house with the occasional urge to say: “Damn! That ending was GOOD!” A part of me sees it as a combination of OE, BE, and HE. Ultimately, it depends on your perspective, but I just love reading other people’s narrative interpretations of the ending. There is a lot food for thought.

It’s just.. this drama is one of those films that has such a unique storyline that it manages to stick with you for a long, long time (despite its flaws). It maps out a love so profound that it transcends time and space, as well as countless lifetimes.

Overall, I’d say the ending was closed and ‘perfect’ in my book— though it may not seem that way to others!

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EXPERIENCE: 5/5

God, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been this absorbed in a xianxia romance. Been in a bit of a drama slump, you see. Xiao Yao unexpectedly pulled me out of that rut. I revived my IQIYI membership to get a ‘taste’ of what this drama would entail, not knowing I’d sink into it completely. For the first time in a long time, I waited in anticipation for the episodes to release everyday, feasting on bite-sized content on 小红书 to curb my hunger in the meantime like Squidward begging for spare change on the sidewalk. That being said, no dull cliffhangers here. Every episode grips you and you’re left wanting more.

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SOUNDTRACK: 5/5
Variety: 5/5
How good it is: 4/5
How fitting it is: 5/5

I’m lost in the music. In fact, I’m throwing it back to ‘燃烬’ as we speak. What can I say? I’m just obsessed. The songs were properly placed, addictive as hell, and had me screaming ‘HONG YEEEEEEEE MY BABYYY HUHUHHHHHU’ at the top of my lungs— is that telling enough?

All in all, Xiao Yao is great if you’re looking to indulge in a high-fantasy drama with impeccable worldbuilding and emotional acting; a tight script that takes a ‘spin’ on a common romance trope; an ensemble of well-written, impressionable characters; all weaved into a thought-provoking narrative that will have you questioning your morals, principles, and existence in general.

Was it a masterpiece? Debatable, but Xiao Yao is one of the most memorable dramas of 2025-2026 for me and is one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some food for thought.

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BEST COUPLE OF CDRAMA 2025-2025

This is by far the best drama and best couple I've watched in CDrama. Other dramas are great but not well paired. My 1st to see Song Wei Long but got captivated by his relaxed & natural acting + his top tier visuals. He seem to be a humble actor too. I'm currently binge watching his other dramas. He's definitely and additional ML for me.

Jinmai is already an IDOL for me and she delivers any role she got. Simple yet so classy in every way, relaxed and not OAs. Her visuals are top tier to, no much enhanement w/c makes her more queenly in everway. I'm now tagging her as Chemistry Queen coz she has great chemistry w/ all his MLs. SWL i say is her best pair.

DRAMA, CAM ANGLES, CONVOS and Story
= 101% = it is a natural slow burn love story. Nothing's OA or weird on scrpts.
= I commend the camera team for great angles throughout the drama.
= Dress codes are also great not much flaunting but they all look great sp the couple.
OVERALL, It's a successful drama for me. Very much reccomendable. CONGRATS TO THE TEAM.

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The Best Modern Cdrama Ever!!!!

This is one Good drama! I started out of curiosity cause watch to watch song weilong First modern drama,but I ended up falling in love with the whole cast. I didn't review this drama back then,that's because I was not yet a strong fan,but now I'm in Love with both song weilong and seven tan,and how they Portrayed their character so well. I remembered how Ling trended back then,indeed Song weilong star power is undeniable!!! Congrats to everyone😍😍😍😍😍😍😍I hope yall continue succeeding for life and that the world will be kinder to you in all aspects forever,amen!!!

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One of the best K drama

This drama started really slow. The ML is slow and shows no emotion in the beginning. But FL is so lively - this scenario is very typical in most Asian dramas.
I initially skipped the first 2 episodes, not understanding the purpose of the drama. But after the ML and FL formed an alliance to make the movie, the drama became so interesting to watch as the ML grows in his emotion and frees himself from the past and just live his life one day at a time.
The entire premise of this drama is that true love is worth everything that it demands of us. It makes life worth living even through the heartache of loving someone who is dying. It doesn't make sense but it's better to love and lost than to not love at all.
The writing is so good that as a parent, I totally empathize with the FL's father. As someone who had changed through the power of love (various forms of it), I can understand that love is everything: it hurts, it elevates, it is transformative. Without it, I am not complete. I was born to love and through it, I became a better person than I was before I found it.

The other aspect of this drama is the story of an undervalued person who is seemingly worthless because she is dying. Death doesn't define our quality, our dreams, and our story. Everyone deserves a chance to realize her dream regardless of her physical/emotional ability. We all can learn from each other. Never underestimate the quality of any human.

I also like the theme of redemption. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. We can all learn to forgive each other. Forgiveness allows us to collaborate and do great things.

I don't like sad stories. But some how this story is very elevating and enabling. Yes, I did shed some tears. But there was laughter too. There was a feeling of joy to understand that people die, but as long as we love, our lives are better through experiencing it truthfully and fearlessly.

People say that the last eps drag out for no purpose. I feel it does have a purpose: it allows me time to say goodbye to a beautiful love story. It's a soft landing. It enables me to feel that death is slow and not so terrible after all.

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Super fun!

It's really interesting to start a drama where the ensemble is already well-established, which makes it so much more fun to see how they work together on different missions and take on their roles. The banter is really fun and honestly it's the friendship that really carries the show.

I'm a little more mixed on the overarching plot. I like the cat and mouse game with the prosecutor and the moral questions it raises about what's valid when the legal system fails. But the other antagonist was not really that interesting, other than how it gives us the final conflict where all the cases we saw throughout the season culminate into one situation.

Overall, a really enjoyable show that's definitely very watchable — I can see why it's renewed for so many seasons.

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