Reviews

Mature dignified couple making their way into good future together - a decent watch for VD

I love when couples openly communicate, trust each other and have a bit of the light/teasing moments and this VD gave me such vibe. The story is not new and predictable (unconsummated marriage of the first son who "dies" on the battlefield leaving his family in distress and his "wife" working her heart out to provide for everybody for 10 years incl. supporting 2nd son who becomes the family pillar and his sister-in-law's admirer - with reciprocation!), but the characters of the leads and their relationship is so heartwarming that you will not be sorry to spend almost 2 hours on this. Mind you, this is not a grand storytelling, but a character/dialogue driven script, so you will watch mostly verbal exchanges and little gestures rather than breath-taking scenery, interiors or costumes/decor. And yet, it is a darn good watch.
I loved the integrity of the ML, his loyalty and adoration for sister-in-law turned beloved. I loved the FL as the dignified, skilled and mature woman. I enjoyed how they loved one another and defied the slimy first son and his seething flame in a steady and unperturbed manner. I even liked the matron of the mansion - even though her morals were dubious. Altogether, even if there were little steamy romance and intimacy shown, this was oddly satisfying, and I wish I knew who the actors were because I would love to watch them elsewhere.
Alas, the version I watched was on YT with the OST missing so that took a lot from the entertaining value, but hey, since I am on VD spree these days this could have been doused with bits of music stolen from other dramas, which would have made it tacky. As it stood with very little music - it was one of those micro dramas that made me feel all fuzzy and warm inside.
True, there are some nonsensical parts here (how can a female general not know self-defense and how can a wife in the manor defy openly her spouse, the master of the family?) but what do we expect of 75 2-minute episodes?

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Epilogue date

It's a nice little button after the series, especially if there is slim chances of any further continuation to get to see Jom and Khun Yai have some fun times with the mysterious time slip magic granting Jom and Khun Yai one lovely day for Jom to show Khun Yai his world, which for good or ill involves Tiktok dances. Though Jom is not a rich heir like Khun Yai, Jom probably makes decent money as an architect had lives in a nice apartment and can easily replace any game controllers his boyfriends smashes and has spending money to give him too. One thing that's weird is that for some reason they aren't allowed to do a normal kiss scene, which we have seen from the main series that the actors are capable of doing and were instructed to not move for some reason, like it was a mandate for this special episode. It's especially conspicuous after the pointed recap of every single time they kissed from the main series. The episode concludes with Jom stepping out in the exact same outfit that he wears to overlook the renovations and meets a present day Khun Yai before being whisked to warrior Yai's time. I really hope the production finds a way to finish the story.

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Flourished Peony has issues

I'm writing two separate reviews for both parts and this will be just for the first half Flourished Peony.

Before we get into anything negative, I want to praise this show for many aspects that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. The cinematography was amazing, there was never a single scene in this show that looked ugly. So many shots from both parts that actually gave me goosebumps on multiple occasions. I really liked the production value, hardly ever did the show have cheap, disposable looking sets or props. You could tell a lot of money and effort went into how this show looks and feels, the production team was most certainly on point.
Music was great as well! So many memorable tracks that fit the scenes perfectly.

Another positive call out was for the cast. This is the best I have ever seen from Yang Zi! It's so refreshing to see her break out of the comedic scamp role. She's very mature and arresting in this drama. Our ML is played by Li Xian who prove to you once again that he has range, his character hides a double identity for certain reasons. It's amusing to see him flip that switch over the course of this series. The main leads had excellent chemistry, and were so amazing to watch together.

The first half of this show really sold me on this couple and I really wanted to see them make it work. I also enjoyed the depiction of the women in this show. In a in a patriarchal society, it can be very difficult for a woman to find her way in life, even in modern days… Seeing such varied women with their own problems to overcome was also satisfying. In most dramas women are pitted against each other and barely ever understand how one another might be feeling. This show has a female lead who recognizes the difficulties any women face regardless of class or social status.

My negative takes are pretty simple. This show takes way too damn long to get to an exciting point. Tens of episodes in and our female lead is still dealing with pretty menial issues that seem to repeat over and over. So many scenes of her being wrongfully accused in public or being screwed over again and again. Flourished Peony really had me either frustrated or bored if either leads were not on the screen. I also HATED the 2nd ML, which isn't really criticism, it's just a fact… Overall I liked the first part and would rewatch.

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A Smart, Grown-Up Love Story Set in the Business World

Rising With the Wind stands out as one of those rare modern C-dramas that balances business realism with heartfelt character growth, without ever falling into unnecessary tropes. It’s a grounded, mature story carried by sharp dialogue, nuanced characters, and emotionally rich performances.It is a Slow-Burn Romance Wrapped in Real-World Business Challenges.

🌪️ A Story Rooted in Reality

The drama follows an heiress who loses everything overnight and is forced to rebuild her life from scratch. Her journey from privileged and carefree to resilient, strategic, and self-made is one of the biggest strengths of the show. It doesn’t sugarcoat entrepreneurship. Instead, it dives deep into the harsh realities of investment, manufacturing, market competition, and the pressure of staying afloat.
It’s 60% business and 40% romance, making it perfect for viewers who appreciate realism and ambition.

👑 Jiang Hu – A Truly Inspiring Heroine

Jiang Hu is a surprisingly refreshing FL. She’s flawed, bold, smart, passionate, and determined. She never comes across as a cliché “strong female lead” instead, her growth feels organic and earned. Watching her fail, learn, adapt, and rise again made her one of the most compelling modern female leads in recent C-dramas.
Her resilience, strategic thinking, and refusal to prioritize romance over her goals make her a QUEEN.

💼 Xu Si – Cold Investor to Warm Human

The ML is the perfect definition of a cold, ruthless investor with an unshakeable sense of control. But as the story unfolds, cracks appear in his armor. His chemistry with Jiang Hu is intense, mature, and fires slowly but steadily.
He’s flawed sometimes overly controlling and frustrating but that complexity adds depth to the story.

❤️ Romance That Feels Real

This isn’t a sugary romance. It’s slow, patient, and rooted in mutual respect as both leads learn to understand each other’s worlds.
Their banter, partnership, and gradual emotional connection feel natural rather than forced. Even when they clash, the relationship never loses its authenticity.

🤝 Strong Friendships & Side Characters

The supporting cast is not just filler. Friends and colleagues are written with purpose and emotional relevance. Their relationships add warmth, humor, and grounding to the drama.
Special mention goes to Gao Yi, whose character arc is surprisingly satisfying.

🎬 Production, Acting & OST

The cinematography is beautiful, polished, and modern.
The acting especially from Elaine Zhong is exceptional. She brings depth, sass, and emotional vulnerability to Jiang Hu without relying on exaggerated expressions or high-pitched delivery.
The OST is heartfelt and inspiring the lyrics complement the themes of struggle, ambition, and healing.

⚖️ Final Thoughts

Rising With the Wind isn’t focused purely on romance it’s about ambition, healing, business, and two imperfect people learning to navigate life and love while chasing success.
It’s a mature, well written, and emotionally engaging drama with impactful character growth and excellent chemistry between the leads.

If you enjoyed the genre of business × romance and realistic character development, this should be at the top of your list.
If you want a grounded story about growth, resilience, flawed characters, and a romance built on mutual respect this is for you.

The ending is also good, although maybe people want to see a marriage scene or hug or kiss.
But overal I think the ending is very good, at least not an open ending that we have to think about. the ending is clear, they are together even though there is no kissing and hugging scene from the ending.

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Completely missed its own premise.

Let’s start with the plot, which was an absolute mess. The premise sounded amazing: rivals to lovers. Key word: sounded, because the actual story has almost nothing to do with the setup.

Quickly, we learn that the “rival” is better at everything than the MC, which irritates him to no end. Cue childish competitions, including the MC proudly announcing he’ll get a girlfriend before the rival does.

Meanwhile, in the same episode, their friend suddenly starts dating their female friend, and the MC, who also has feelings for her, decides to jump into a pool after ranting in half Chinese half Japanese. This chaotic spiral leads to the first kiss, which takes place underwater for no logical reason, except that the rival was trying to pull him up so he wouldn’t drown.

From here, the plot stagnates badly.
They get together, but then the rival moves to America for a few months, because his mother is marrying an American. Obviously, it can’t end here because Season 2 (set five years later) exists. The big twist: their communication fades, the MC travels to the U.S. because of his father and suddenly sees his boyfriend with a child and a mysterious woman (whose identity we STILL don’t know).

The whole story feels like random dramatic events thrown together for shock value.
It’s rare for a show to make me feel so much and so little at the same time. Confusion, anger, sadness, emptiness—overall, nothing but everything. Unfortunately, none of it in a good way.

The saving grace of this drama.
The actors were genuinely great and had very natural chemistry. I’d love to see them work together again because they carried the entire show on their backs.

I truly don’t understand the positive reviews that convinced me this would be peak storytelling. It wasn’t. The pacing was awful, the plot was chaotic, and the execution completely wasted a trope that could have been beautiful.

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This is a Badly Directed Drama of Zhou Mu Nan

I finally decided to come back to this drama and complete it after I finished Blood River. I am a huge fan of the Blood of Youth which introduce me to Zhou Mu Nan's wuxia universe. I loved it so much that I rewatched it multiple times that I lost count back then in 2022. Even though I can't read Chinese, I bought all of his books, Blood of Youth, Young Brewmaster, Dark River, whatever was printed and I can get my hands or eyes on (anime wise). I watched all the anime of Zhou Mu Nan's shared universe: Blood of Youth anime, Dashing Youth/ Young Brewmaster anime, Blood/Dark River anime, and Jun You Yun/ A Gentlemen Says anime (Bili Bili's not Youku's. I even paid the official Bili Bili account on Youtube to watch it back then.). It was the first time I started watching Chinese anime and I had to get used to the Chinese anime style. All of the anime felt like a production of Zhou Mu Nan's work, lives and breaths his style of wuxia (new wuxia). All his main characters and all side characters seem to embody Zhou Mu nan's youthful energy and vigor. When I watch his anime, I get so enthralled and excited like I was a teenager again and your blood boil in excitement. And that is Zhou Mu Nan's theme and intention and trademark. But ... the big But... Dashing Youth (live adaption of the Young Brewmaster) was absolutely dreadful to watch. I don't know if it's the director or the combination of a bad directing, editing, and/or scriptwriting the plot is so dull and flat like a piece of paper. I mostly want to blame it on the bad directing, editing, and CGI (which replace most of the fight scenes). Most fight scenes people just stood there or hang in air and CGI did the work. Otherwise it wouldn't make sense that I liked the anime of the Young Brewmaster but something went so wrong with the live adaption... The only saving grace of Dashing Youth were mostly important side characters, like Li Changshou/Nangong Chunshui (loved both actors who played this person. Two different actors were able to make the audience believe they were one and the same person), and Sikong Changfeng which is the character I fell in love with in the Young Brewmaster anime loved his intro and his name. The rest of the main characters were so hard to follow or connect with, Yue Yao, Baili Dongjun, the later half of Yi Wenjun (the script killed this character's soul lol), and the list can go on. I’m not sure why they couldn’t get Yin Tao to directed Dashing Youth if he did I’m sure he could have kept the author’s intentions. With how well the Blood of Youth and Blood River did, as long as Yin Tao is paired up with Zhou Mu Nan the world of wuxia can be lit up yet again. Because this is what it mean's to be wuxia.

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14 Straight to the Point Checklist

1.) Happy/Sad/Cliff-hanger: happy if rushed
2.) Four words that describe the FL character: kind, resilient, loyal, too flexible
3.) Four words that describe the ML character: protective, yellow flag ML (neither green nor red), stubborn, loyal, dedicated
4.) Drama quote that stuck with me: Marriage is the biggest lie, that it can always be happy and everlasting. Sometimes we will argue, will disagree and misunderstand each other. If loving someone means only accepting their strengths, but not their weakness, that love to shallow".
5.) Spice factor: 🌶️ 1/2 hot pepper-nice kiss scenes, 1 bed scene, a couple of ML backing FL into corner scenes
6.) Drama type: romance with revenge from side characters
7) Every drama starts with the script: I did not find too many plots holes, except the ending was rushed with not enough lead in to the final outcome.
8.) Conflict/Angst: The main leads had a short break up but together the majority of the drama. Most of the angst was from the side characters. Nothing will make you cry in this drama.
9.) Sucked you into the plot: The main leads loyalty and love was just sooo sweet!
10) Cinematography/Directing: nothing memorable
11.) Fighting choreography matters: nothing memorable
12.) Actors: I think that the ML was more convincing that the FL. But by far the FL's friend and her boyfriend kinda stole the show for me.
13.) Memorable/forgettable/acceptable: acceptable because it really provided the reality that love is not just about being happy, but about being their for each other no matter what life throws at you.
14.) Recommendation/rewatchable: If you are looking for romance to be the engine that drives the story, then this one does. Rewatchable maybe just once more, but not anymore than that.

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Another cute drama.

I feel the cliff hanger from episode 11 was resolved way too soon in episode 12. I get there was a lot to cover in episodes two. either way it would have been a drag if they made this show with 16 episodes. In fact this could have been 10.
Jung So Min is well.. Jung So Min. She doesn't have too much range. She is good old roasted chicken. Good and consistent. I've watched her for a decade and she gets the job done.
I don't think I've seen Choi Woo Shik in a ML capacity before. But l'll take that cutie potato in any shape or form. I want to see him with a broader range of character. Possibly a wolf in sheep clothing villain one.
Would I watch this again? yes, but I wouldn't go out of my way to . I came, I binge and like and were moving to the next one

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Really liked the story, but wished it was longer.

Those first few episodes started out real good. I was already invested into the Wei Family because of their lovely dynamic and knew it was gonna hurt my soul when they all died( which I really did I cried). As it went on, I don’t know why I feel like I expected more arcs in the overall story or I maybe more elements to it or something. A number of the characters did get to be fleshed out and feel like characters, while others didn’t when they probably should’ve. Example of a character that did get switched out was FL Sister, who started out as terribly annoying, but I actually grew to be a better character in the end. It just didn’t feel like it gave as much as it could’ve. I was actually disappointed when I was already reaching the last few episodes.

As for the two leads, not the strongest chemistry on screen, I admit. It doesn’t take me much to get invested, but I feel like the romance needed to be stronger. For my first time seeing Victoria and this wasn’t a bad role to be introduced to. I like to seeing a strong, but controlled FL who doesn’t lose her head easily, or cry as much( not saying crying is wrong. It’s just it would mean that something really important would have to happen to get them to act like that, which means that the character would have to feel so much for this situation or person that they would cry). Usually it’s the guys are like that so it’s a nice difference. I will shamelessly say that I am a Ding Yuxi fan and the main reason I wanted to watch this. He came as usual outstanding performance, with what he was given. He did feel younger in this case, but I guess it makes sense, because technically he was. I’m not usually invested into side couples in dramas for some reason because they never seem to hit with me, but I did like the one with Miss Song and Chu Yu ‘s brother. I actually wanted to see more of them and was a little more invested in them than the main leads.

I’m not always sure what constitutes as the best choreography for fight scenes, but I did enjoy the battles a lot. They weren’t dull, or boring or drawn out too long. Overall, I was invested the whole way through but like I said, I wish there was more.

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Giving a tired soul a bit of warmth – more than a healing drama

This is my first ever review after watching so many dramas; that's how much I love this drama.

Just like warm hot soup on a hungry raining day, this drama heals your soul. It just feels like you are watching a documentary of this village. It feels like you went into their world and are enjoying their stories. It doesn't feel like acting at all. All characters feel like these are made for these actors. Their play is so amazing. Everyone is a main character, and it highlights each household’s problems and their life.

Everyone is a main character, and it highlights each household’s problems and their life.. The story tells about life and choices we have to make in our life, different kinds of love, parents’ love for their children, neighbours’ love and friends’ love. Real-life struggles of families in an undeveloped village, friendship, and pure love between the main characters. In life, people come and go, and people part ways with attachments and feelings. It is so lovely and scary at the same time. The love between two people from different places and the courage to start and continue their love — it's so lovely.

I feel so attached to each and every character of this drama. Thanks to all the actors and screenwriter for producing such a masterpiece drama. Even 40 episodes feel short for me. This will forever be my first to watch whenever my soul needs healing. And sad after finishing, because these are characters and not real.

PS. I started this without any expectation because I saw many allegations about this with Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. But after finishing, this drama became one of my all-time favourite dramas, more than Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. This drama has more details, more warmth, more emotions than HCCC and nothing similar at all except that this was a village-based drama.

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A story about second chances, rebuilding gently, and loving someone deeply enough to cross lifetimes

Some shows win us over with their story, others with their visual charm, and a few ones with a kind of chemistry that feels almost alive, something that slips through the screen and lands right in the viewer’s chest. Reset, the Thai BL led by Pond and Peterpan, belongs to that last category. The premise may sound familiar: a man is given the chance to go back in time and fix the mistakes that led him to a tragic end. However, Reset isn’t interested in complicated sci-fi; it wants to talk about love, and it does so with such clear sincerity that resisting it becomes almost impossible.

The setup is simple, almost deceptively so: Armin, an actor undone by the people closest to him, is given a second chance to rebuild himself after a “reset”. On this new path, he crosses Tada’s orbit once more, a CEO who could have easily been just another cold, unreachable archetype; but he isn’t. Tada moves differently, at his own rhythm. He loves through details and bold gestures alike; he observes before speaking; he protects long before admitting it out loud. He is the kind of character who quietly restores one’s faith in romance, perhaps the series’ greatest triumph.

And if the story draws its strength from the bond between its leads, it’s the cast that gives this connection its heartbeat. Pond and Peterpan deliver one of the most natural, luminous chemistries Thai BL has offered in recent years. There is something unpretentious, almost magical, in the way they lock eyes, respond instinctively, improvise without forcing the moment. Pairing Pond, an experienced actor who rarely repeats co-stars, with Peterpan, a newcomer whose emotional openness is genuinely disarming, results in a duo that glows. It’s the kind of dynamic that makes the audience forget they’re watching fiction at all.

The series also succeeds beautifully in placing romance at its emotional center. Every confession, every small act of affection, every quiet moment between them is crafted with almost artisanal care. The more intimate scenes avoid empty explicitness, and instead, lean into emotion, guided by a direction that understands how to balance sensitivity and poetry. Reset handles these moments with such grace that the result often feels unexpectedly, dazzlingly romantic, the kind of tenderness that wells up not from sadness, but from the sheer beauty of witnessing love portrayed with such honesty.

But Reset isn’t carried by its couple alone, and the show knows it. Veynai, Tada’s secretary, could easily have faded into the background, yet he never does. Loyal, softhearted, and always precise, he brings warmth to the workplace and lightness to the drama. He becomes emotional support when needed, but also a steady presence that enriches the world around the leads. And alongside him stands Janine, Armin’s manager, who steals scenes with the same ease he protects his artist. Grounded, intuitive, and fiercely devoted, Janine adds heart to Armin’s journey, offering both guidance and genuine affection. His presence rounds out the emotional core of the series.

Of course, Reset isn’t without flaws. The first half, responsible for building the mystery around the reset and the threats surrounding Armin, falters. The pacing hurries where it should breathe and lingers where it should move on, creating a sense of imbalance that slightly blurs the emotional throughline. Some plot threads feel introduced only to be abandoned later, and the tonal shifts between suspense and romance aren’t always as smooth as they could be, making the early episodes feel less cohesive than the story ultimately deserves.

But the biggest issue is undeniably Thiwthit, the antagonist. Tada’s brother, reworked into the main villain for the adaptation, becomes the show’s weakest link, not only because the writing stretches his motivations thin, but because the performance never fully lands. Emotional moments that should feel tense or unsettling often come across as exaggerated or disconnected, pulling the narrative away from its intended weight. His scenes can be genuinely difficult to sit through, creating spikes of discomfort that clash with the emotional subtlety the rest of the series works so carefully to build.

Still, there is something almost generous in the way the script resolves its heaviest conflicts at the very beginning of the final episode, giving the entire last chapter over to what truly matters: peace. Reset understands the value of letting the audience exhale with its characters, without rushing to tie every loose thread. It’s rare to see a series treat its ending as a quiet celebration rather than frantic damage control; and that choice elevates its finale to something tender and deeply emotional.

And what a finale it is. The hospital scene, the proposal, the lucky necklace carrying whole lifetimes of meaning, and the quiet certainty that their love survived time itself, literally and metaphorically. Armin and Tada finish their journey hand in hand, exchanging words that brush the edge of poetry while never losing the everyday warmth that makes them real. Their happiness feels genuine, almost radiant, and the show embraces it without irony or hesitation. It stands as one of the most moving proposals ever portrayed in a BL drama, a closing chapter that lingers long after the final frame.

In the end, Reset succeeds because it keeps its heart exactly where it should be. It refuses to drown itself in complicated time-travel theories. It answers what needs to be answered and leaves the rest suspended in mystery, the way life often does. Its heart lies not in changing the past but in choosing how to live when given the chance to begin again. And Armin, retracing his steps, finds exactly what had been missing: a love steady enough to guide him back, honest enough to ground him, and strong enough to transform him.

The result is a BL that, even with its imperfections and despite its missteps, emerges as one of the year’s most memorable, standing just a step behind Khemjira in both impact and emotional resonance. A story about second chances, about rebuilding gently, and about loving someone deeply enough to cross lifetimes. Reset isn’t just beautiful, it’s deeply felt. The sort of series that settles softly in the heart and glows there for a while, reminding you of why romance, when done with care, still matters.

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a 6/10 contract love drama speedrun that throws every cliché at you with good directing

✨ THE GOOD (shockingly exists):
-The leads are doing Olympic-level backpacking carrying this script.
-The soundtrack goes unnecessarily hard.
-A few emotional moments slip in like the writers forgot they were speedrunning.

🙄 THE “Cliché% Any% Run” PACKAGE:
-Toxic ex ✔
-CEO savior ✔
-Trauma origin story ✔
-Random breakup twist ✔
-Complete romance cycle ✔
All smashed into 8 episodes of 20 mins like a TikTok version of a K-drama.

🤦 THE “CHEAP BUT KINDA FUN” ENERGY:
-Looks cracky, feels cheap.
-Scenes either drag forever or teleport forward like someone hit “fast travel.”
-Emotions appear out of nowhere — DLC cutscenes with no buildup.

💋 THE “DISTRACTIONS WERE DISTRACTING” DEPARTMENT:
-The girls are THONK.
-Camera knows. You know. Everyone knows.

🔥 THE “WHY AM I LOW-KEY INVESTED?” ZONE:
-It’s messy, rushed, predictable…
-but also dangerously watchable if you turn your brain off or you're a 13 years old who just learned about romance.
-Like fast food: bad for you, but you still bite.

🎯 FINAL VERDICT:
“A chaotic, cliché loaded romance sprint. Cheap, rushed, dumb… but somehow not as boring.”

✔ Watch if:
You want CEO romance chaos and can enjoy trash somehow beautifully wrapped.

❌ Skip if:
You require pacing, logic, or basic dignity from your plot.

☕ Best paired with: Instant noodles, zero expectations, and the knowledge you’re watching this for serotonin, not cinema.

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