Reviews

A Touching Love Story That Deserves Season 2

Demon Hunter’s Romance is a drama that truly lingers in the heart. Both the male and female leads deliver performances that are deeply touching and emotionally resonant, making every scene feel raw and genuine.

Ren Jialun once again proves his mastery in portraying romance—he carries the story with subtle yet powerful emotions, never needing over-the-top kiss scenes to make the love believable. His eyes, tone, and presence alone speak volumes.

Song Zuer is the perfect counterpart, bringing warmth, charm, and strength that balance beautifully with Ren Jialun’s intensity. Together, their chemistry is undeniable—delicate, heartfelt, and perfectly tuned to the storyline.

This drama captures romance at its purest form: not through grand gestures, but through emotion that seeps into every interaction. It’s a love story that feels alive and unforgettable.

I truly hope there will be a Season 2, not only to give closure to their journey, but to let us experience more of the magic these two created together.

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Individualism ⛩️ Collectivism & The 8-Fold Fence °9° °Outstanding°

“A man has 3 hearts.

One in his mouth for the world to know. Another in his chest just for his friends.

And a secret heart buried deep where no one can find it. That is a heart a man must keep hidden if he wants to survive.“

§hogun is a brilliant depiction of two cultures clashing. Each of these countries believes their own superiority is such that they are entitled to invade and control any and all other peoples. Their viewpoints are opposite (sort of) but their entitled sense of superiority is EXACTLY the same.

The emperor (the §hogun) is dead. The leaders of the 5 fiefs will fight it out to be the next §hogun. Perhaps not Toranaga. “Shogun - a beautiful relic from a bygone era.” Yoshii Toranaga doesn't want it, he claims.

This is a top-tier production. It's a great drama with multilayered character development, and humorous banter that gives way to elevated dialogue. Based on the 1975 novel by James Clavell, § is a 2024 release that is rated 99/84 on RT & 8.6 on IMDB. It is 1 season consisting of 10 60-minute episodes. The original network was ABC, but FX released it along with Hulu. It's technically a US production but it is more than half in the Japanese language and utilizes Japanese actors and technical staff. It was already made into a miniseries in the 80's, and while I haven't seen the original, I would expect the two features to be like 80's Dune and 20's Dune. This has been confirmed for a S2 though they are out of the original source material. The story will pick up 10 years later. They are set to start production in January, 2026


The §hogun is dead, and the Europeans have mounted a soft invasion. The Catholics already have several missions set up and many fiefs work with them directly. The Protestants just showed up, though. Their theological differences escape the Japanese, but each side is willing to die for them. We meet John Blackthorne first (Cosmo Jarvis from Annihilation-7). He and his crew are in rough shape off the coast of Japan when the warriors invade their ship. They decide to take the pale strangers into custody, rather than “off” their heads on the spot. Blackthorne vows to recover his ship and his men to continue his Protestant mission.


Hiroyuki Sanada (Shin Hanshichi Torimonocho) is brilliant as his captor, Yoshii Toranaga, one of the fief leaders and an old sly fox. He's the one who worries the other fiefs the most. He has his own mind and he is not a go-along-to-get-along kinda guy. Born in New Zealand. Anna Sawai, (Pachinko), just may steal the show as Toda Mariko. In a show about men pursuing power and destiny, a woman is the fulcrum. Tadanobu Asano (Keiji Yugami, Mortal Combat) is Toranaga's #1 guy, Kashigi Yabushige. Tommy Bastow (Agatha Raisin) portrays the compartmentalized Father Martin Alvito.
§ tells a sweeping story in a beautiful manner. It's the §engoku Period, around 1600. Japan is in a state of civil war. The Tokugawa §hogunate is about to be born. Europe is at war, particularly Protestants V Catholics, and it's spilled over into Asia. While Europeans come bearing technologically advanced weaponry, they do not behave in a more refined manner. Each side refers to the other as savages, and they are each 💯% dead-on accurate.

The artistry of the show is magnificent. It all looks authentic with layers of texture. The opening is a 6-minute short CGI film by Elastic. Did they make the ships for the show? Per AI: “Yes, multiple wooden boats and partial wooden ships were constructed for the FX series, with a strong emphasis on historical accuracy. An American boatbuilding expert was brought in to ensure the designs were authentic to 17th-century Japan.” The ep5 earthquake and mudslide are magnificently portrayed; I stopped breathing for a few moments. There's a boat race! An unofficial / unintended one. It's very exciting.

The show is based on history and historical figures. Per AI “The English navigator William Adams, also known as Anjin, became a key advisor to Tokugawa Ieyasu, who later became the Shogun. Adams' expertise in shipbuilding, along with his knowledge of Western technology and trade, proved invaluable to Ieyasu.. Ieyasu enlisted Adams to help improve Japan's naval capabilities by constructing Western-style ships.. These ships played a role in enhancing Japan's naval capacity and fostering trade relations with European powers during the early 17th century.” I dunno. Seems like cultural appropriation is one thing, but a look of love and admiration from the outside in is another. People will never stop imitating eachother. We're sheep.

What's life without alittle romance? Mariko might be married, but her husband is never around. When he is, he's awful to her. (“I will give my husband nothing. Not even hatred. Because that is what he merits.”) Mariko is Blackthorne's interpreter. She's the only person he can speak to, and they end up spending all their time together. He falls hard for her, and while she's more difficult to read, she seems to reciprocate. It's long gazes, surreptitious touches, double-speak and countless metaphors. She's gorgeous. He is NOT. Yet it sizzles. In the hot spring one night she asks him where he'd take her in London? They basically have a virtual date, just talking about it. The scene is tremendous.

In the magnificent ep7, Toranaga gifts Blackthorne a night in a brothel as a reward + compensation for not allowing him to leave with his ship. Mariko must accompany him “to interpret”. By now, Toranaga and Mariko‘s husband are suspicious, and their suspicions are justified. It smells of a setup, and Mariko is no dummy. As they enter, she warns him that their #every#gesture# is being watched. The courtesan is considered the best in the country, as is the brothel. She discusses the services they offer. Physical pleasure is only one of the goals, while escape from life's afflictions is the ultimate goal. Mariko is interpreting every word spoken by this Lady of the Night, but in 3rd person. She suddenly switches from 3rd person to 1st person at the height of the courtesan's verbal seduction. Instead of “she will,” Mariko opts rather for ”I will.” It's more sensual than most aex scenes.

The jokes write themselves in any clash of cultures. Blackthorne wants to try what they're eating. It's natto, or fermented soy beans. Sure, it's a great source of protein, but it's treated much the way Limburger cheese is, and Blackthorne even comments that it's much like spoiled cheese. Limburger certainly has its devotees, but most people can't get beyond the smell. Same for natto, and though it's considered an “acquired taste,” the Japanese love it. Even more, they love joking about it and treating it as a dare. Just can't put that fork in the mouth? Nattokinase capsules are also a popular health supplement. There's several funny cultures-colliding moments.

What really makes § worth it is the elevated writing. When Blackthorne admits to Mariko that he's never met his daughter, he talks about how the sea beckons him. He's been out /there/; he hasn't been home. She says, “You serve your masters well.” He turns to her and affirms that he has no masters. There's the disconnect between East and West: The constant tension between individualism and collectivism is on display. Neither side does it completely right. Neither side has all the answers. In Asia, they see themselves as part of a whole, while in the West, we see ourselves as individuals. There's problems both ways and a blend of the two is what perfection is.

But perfection isn't human. In the East, the individual is stifled and crushed - the people are slaves to the group. Insane sacrifice is expected in a collectivist society. A warrior stands up for Toranaga's honor in ep1 and to mollify the offended parties, Toranaga puts him and his newborn infant to death. The widow is expected to accept this and continue on. Then Toranaga gifts the widow to Blackthorne! In the West, we're overloaded with narcissistic monsters. “If freedom is all you live for, then you will never be free of yourself,” we hear. The answer is a balancing act. There will be times that the group is more important than one's own life, but most of the time, individuals should be free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. At the same time, the person who believes s/he is the center of the universe cannot have healthy loving relationships with others. Intimacy is what we've lost; it requires give AND take.

They put quite a frame around ancient Japan: Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Fires. They build their houses to “go up as quickly as they come down”. “Death is in our air. It can come for us at any moment.” ‘Life has no value to the Japanese,’ John opines. Only their “meaningless rituals, which have trapped them, have any significance”. He's astounded at the inefficiency, the sheer unworkability of it. Yet, the people suffer it all with straight faces. Commenting on their stoicism, Mariko tells Blackthorne about the 8-fold fence. The young are taught to build it themselves: It's an ❇impenetrable❇ wall behind which they can retreat. “Listen, without hearing, to the sound of the rocks growing Do not be fooled by our politeness, our maze of rituals. We could be a great distance away, safe and alone.” Everything outward is form - PHONY FORM. The real person is in “a secret heart buried deep where no one can find it. That is a heart a man must keep hidden if he wants to survive.“

As §1 winds down, we have a heartbreaker. I'm upset. “War is inevitable,“ we hear. Perhaps, but it's rarely /necessary/. Sure, going to war in defense against oppressors is sometimes necessary, but wars of aggression, borne from the worst darkness of the human heart, never are. “If you win, anything is possible,” says Toranaga.


QUOTES🗣

Enemies are everywhere and friends nowhere. To show your true heart is to be killed.

Let us choose to look away from what we cannot control.

Thank you for this novel distraction.

Once loyalty begins it does not have an end. Otherwise, it is not loyalty.

Not your god, or my god… just God.


IMHO〰🖍

📣9 📝9 🎭9 💓7 🦋5 🎨8.5 🎵/🔊8 🔚8 🤗6.8 ▪ 🌞4⚡7 😅3 😭6 😱4 😯2.8 🤢9 🤔7.5 💤0


Age 15+ nudity, sexual content 4/10; R-rated Language; Gore: the usual battles are depicted, but we see men on horses turned into exploding guts by cannon balls. It's on an extreme level. Rated TV-MA: Mature Audience Only.


Re-📺? Yup

In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~

The Dragon Prince-8.7,
Samurai Champloo-8.6,
The Dragon Prince-8.7,
My Happy Marriage-8.3,
Moribito Guardian of the Spirit-8.6,
Vinland Saga-10,
Attack On Titan-8.9


🎎 -
C🇨🇳: Overlord 8.4,
Under the Power 8.6,
Story of Yanxi Palace-10
The Rebel Princess 9.1,
The Sword and the Brocade 8.6 (in ancient Chinese opera style),
The Rise of Phoenixes 9
K🇰🇷:
My Only Love Song 8.7 excellent comedy;
Mr. Queen 8.5;
My Sassy Girl 8.5;
The King's Affection 8.3;
Mr. Sunshine 9

🔮🐉-
C🇨🇳: Love Between Fairy & Devil 8.9;
Douluo Continent 9.4;
Handsome Siblings 8.7;
Ancient Love Poetry 8.6;
Love and Redemption 10

⚡/😱/🚀 -
C🇨🇳: Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber 9-Kung-fu!;

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Obsessed!

I'm another fan of this series that is totally obsessed with the actors and plot. I'm waiting impatiently for the next episode! HY is so handsome and I feel bad that he is being ignored by Shao You given how much love he has for SY but at the same time what he did to Shao You was not right so I can understand SY's anger towards him.
The second couple, Gao Tu and Wen Lang are equally as interesting in their love story. I feel bad for Gao Tu for his unrequited love for Wen Lang but can't wait to see a turnaround of this (where Wen Lang accepts his love?) in the next few episodes (spoiler from Youtube).
So I think both couples will have a happy ending as the series progress?
I've read comments here that have really helped make sense of the story since I'm clueless regarding the omniverse world. For example, I didn't know that the only reason why HY pulled SY into the room was because HY was in a rut and he wouldn't have done so if SY didn't go to the hotel where HY confined himself/locked himself. And also another comment that helped was that the only reason why SY couldn't recognise HY was because the room was dark. The room was bright during the series shoot. Same with Gao Tu where the room was bright so I couldn't understand how Wen Lang couldn't recognise Gao Tu but in the novel, the room was dark. Also helped me understand that Wen Lang was "drawn" to Gao Tu that night because of the pheromones that Gao Tu released during his "heat".

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Love of the Divine Tree – Vows, fate, and a role-swap romance

🔹 A role-swap xianxia brewed with tender vows and gentle romance. Cozy to follow, even when the side plots lose steam.
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes, for the chemistry
✨ What happens when the disciple becomes the protector and old vows turn into new love?

📕 Overview 🎬
🔹 40 episodes, xianxia romance
🔹 Adapted from the web novel Xian Tai You Shu (仙台有树) by Kuang Shang Jia Kuang (狂上加狂)
🔹 Deng Wei plays Su Yi Shui, a cool exterior but deeply loyal once you look past the surface.
🔹 Xiang Hanzhi portrays Mu Qing Ge/Xue Ran Ran, who bravely faces her challenges with courage as she begins a new journey
🔹 The story begins when the once-maligned master returns with a new identity, and the roles of master and disciple are reversed.
🔹 Perfect if you are in the mood for protective romance with fantasy twists

🌸 How It Felt Watching 💙
🔹 The opening builds quickly and makes a clear promise to protect, without a heavy backstory.
🔹 Viewing feel: cozy, romantic, and lightly dramatic.
🔹 Themes: loyalty, second chances, and found family.
🔹 The leads bring warmth and believable chemistry, though some supporting roles don’t leave much of an impression.

🎭 Cast & Performances
🔹 Deng Wei as Su Yi Shui: starts distant but slowly shows his softer side.
🔹 Xiang Hanzhi as Mu Qing Ge/Xue Ran Ran: gives a performance that feels easy to connect with.
🔹 The supporting cast helps keep the story moving, though a few characters don’t get much development.

🎵 OST 🎵
🔹 One Tree One Couple (一树一双人) – Tia Ray
🔹 Like an Immortal (若仙) – Zhou Shen
🔹 Fate Circle (缘圈) – Liu Yu Ning (Modern Brothers)
🔹 Unfinished (未尽) – Victor Wong
🔹 Dedication (尽献) – Zhang Zi Ning
🔹 Heaven and Earth (天地鉴) – Zhao Pin Lin

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Costumes and sets bring the fantasy world to life.
🔹 The special effects looked smoother than expected, especially the glowing power scenes and the wide landscapes.
🔹 Pacing starts off strong, though some side plots drag.

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: lead chemistry, the protective-romance story, and a production style that fits the mood
🔹 What did not: a few side characters that felt like tropes and some uneven pacing
🔹 Still, the main couple and the core storyline were strong enough that I really enjoyed it overall
🔹 I also enjoyed the BTS clips with the cast and production team; they showed the fun and effort behind the scenes
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes, for the chemistry

☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 9/10
🌿 Tea-Scale: Full of flavor, really enjoyed this one, worth another cup

✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, I felt relaxed, like enjoying a warm cup of tea after a long day.

✨ Do you feel the pull of a promise that grows into lasting love?

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Charming and Addictive: The Nameless Delivers a Fun, Predictable BL with Heart

It’s wild how a show with such short 10 minute episodes can be more entertaining than some full 50 minute ones, but The Nameless really pulls it off! From the very first episode, I was hooked. The two male leads are gorgeous, honestly, they’re both cute and handsome in the best way possible, and their chemistry is undeniable. The acting is solid, and it’s hard to get bored when everything feels so natural and engaging.

One of my favorite moments has to be Episode 5, where they all hang out by the pool, casually eating watermelon together. It’s such a warm, feel-good scene and really captured the essence of their bond. It’s these simple moments that make the show shine.

However, I’m giving it an 8/10 instead of a higher score. The plot itself is pretty predictable, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it didn’t offer anything particularly extraordinary. It’s a cute, light BL series, but there’s no major plot twist or deep drama to push it beyond the "just good" category. That said, I found myself craving new episodes each Saturday, which says a lot about how enjoyable it is!

If you’re looking for a fun, easy-watch BL with adorable characters and no heavy emotional rollercoasters, this is the one. It's perfect for a light binge!

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Heartfelt Moments with a Few Missed Opportunities

What I Like
After Episodes 1 and 2, and my heart is so full right now 🥹💖. The way these two communicate is everything, honest, sweet, and straight to the point. There’s no drama or unnecessary games, just pure connection. The pacing of the first two episodes is fast, but it’s got me hooked; I love how quickly things develop. The chemistry between the two leads is off the charts, like, it’s almost too perfect to handle! Both actors are drop-dead gorgeous and ridiculously cute, making every scene a joy to watch 🥰.

I also really appreciated Episode 9, where we finally see them move in together as a couple. It’s so heartwarming, especially because the dynamic feels so real. You know the kind, one is neat, the other’s messy, and it’s just a perfect example of opposites attracting. The small arguments they have are realistic too, but what stands out the most is how they deal with things. They apologize and work through everything with raw, honest communication. It’s real life in its truest form, and I couldn’t love it more.

Kanade Shinichiro’s family situation was also something that hit me hard. His reluctance to go home because of his father’s expectations feels so relatable, especially in Asian cultures where family honor, expectations, and shame often loom over every decision. He’s terrified of being rejected for being gay, even though society has shifted. This is so much more than just a coming-out story, it’s about the emotional toll of living under the weight of generational pressures and fear. The way this was portrayed was poignant and made me reflect on how deep those family dynamics can run.

Episode 11 was a standout, where the whole family dynamic was brought to the forefront. Kanade's mom and sister offering their unwavering support was deeply moving, it's a reminder that sometimes, the people we fear rejecting us the most can end up being our greatest allies. It’s a beautiful portrayal of hope and acceptance, especially in cultures where the fear of disappointing loved ones can be overwhelming. The scene with Kanade and his father walking and talking together was so emotional—it felt like a real breakthrough.

What I Dislike & Room for Improvement
I absolutely loved Episode 6, honestly, the jealousy moments were peak cuteness 💕. But Japan… it’s 2025, and we need to talk about that kiss. It was, like, 0.5 seconds. A blink. A peck. A goldfish kiss lasts longer. 😅 Please, Japan, we need a real kiss! I’m all for teasing, but by this point, these two have known each other for years, their love is deep, and when the moment finally comes, it’s a total letdown. I was expecting passion, fire, but it felt so restrained, almost hesitant. For a couple that’s been through so much, this was the moment we’d been waiting for, and it just… fizzled.

The lack of emotional payoff here was frustrating. I get that there’s a fine line between restraint and giving fans what they want, but after eight episodes of building tension, this was a huge missed opportunity. The chemistry was there, and we’ve seen them grow into their love—so why hold back on the most important moment in their relationship? I’d rather have no kiss at all than a scene that feels half hearted and rushed. It wasn’t about fan service; it was about respecting the emotional journey we’ve all invested in, and delivering a moment that was worthy of everything they’ve been through. They earned it, and so did we.

Final Thoughts
Despite my frustrations with that kiss (honestly, Japan, come on), Stay by My Side After the Rain is still a beautiful series. The honest, raw portrayal of love, family, and personal struggles in a Japanese BL setting really makes this show stand out. The pacing, the character development, and the chemistry between the leads have all been incredibly strong. The series handles some heavy topics with care, and even though it’s not perfect, it’s genuinely moving. I’m looking forward to the finale, but I can’t help but wish for just a little more passion where it counts.

Rating: 8.5/10 Solid, emotional, but with room to improve on those key moments!

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On Paper It’s Good, But in Execution…

This drama relies on two elements that I really enjoy: an introverted and traumatized ML — a type of character I personally identify with — and a FL who knows exactly who she loves, without unnecessary love triangles. For me, when someone is torn between two people, it usually means they don’t truly love either; love is love, not a matter of “choice.”

The problem lies in the execution of Cha Heon’s character. Writing an introspective lead is tricky, because he can’t be overly social, but he also can’t come across as rude or unlikeable. And this is where the drama fails — and fails badly.

Cha Heon becomes irritating for three main reasons:

1. He doesn’t work within his own premise of being “introspective.”


2. The actor was inexperienced and failed to deliver emotional depth.


3. The FL and secondary characters completely overshadow him, making him feel almost nonexistent in the story.



While the secondary couple is engaging and compelling, Cha Heon ends up poorly written and turns into a bland protagonist. A well-crafted introverted, traumatized character should express love through subtle gestures — protecting and caring for the FL in the background. However, even when the drama attempts this, it feels artificial. Instead of showing genuine emotion toward Shin Sol-i, Heon comes across as if he’s being forced into kindness.

In the end, what could have been a captivating introspective ML became a flat, underdeveloped character who failed to carry the emotional weight the role required.

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underwhelming start but it picks up in the second half

Given a quick skim of the other reviews for this show, it seems like a lot of people hated the miscommunication and were frustrated by Shirasaki Yuki's struggle to pick up on Hayama Asami's feelings given their intimacy. Honestly as someone who typically hates miscommunication, I think it makes sense here - Hayama has been pining after Shirasaki for years and is unsure of how to admit those feelings (been there, rip) and Shirasaki keeps overhearing things that make him misinterpret his dynamic with Hayama (also Shirasaki's struggle with social cues gives maaaaaaaajor autistic vibes. while he frustrates me at times, I could never hate him.) They're both convinced the other cannot possibly reciprocate but desperately want this relationship to be real as their feelings continue to deepen as they keep "pretending" to date outside of the "Hiru no Yume" set.

It honestly took me until episode 4 when Shirasaki started to realize he was developing feelings for Hayama before I was fully locked in. And then episode 5 gave me SUCH a buzz when we saw their "rehersal" kiss intercut with the on-set first kiss. Seeing the continual push-pull of their dynamic as Shirasaki tries to turn off his feelings and protect his heart was entrancing, and Hayama's willingness to go as far as Shirasaki is willing bc he just yearns so much for him was thrilling. Like I honestly was shocked by how much I enjoyed the drama due to their struggles to just admit they like each other.

Honestly, I think my biggest frustration with the show is that they successfully create a sensual atmosphere (in large part due to the soundtrack I think) but then most of the physical intimacy doesn't live up to that energy. The first kiss that leads to them "fake dating" is pretty awful, although it makes a lot of sense to me that Hayama would want the kiss to be very tame to not push Shirasaki into the deep end immediately. And most of the kisses up until the last couple episodes are very chaste, which just kinda makes you feel blue-balled as a viewer. The fact that they are rather adorable in their more tender moments does help ease this frustration a little though.

Also I need to say that Komagine Kiita totally makes this show. He's brilliant in the two episodes from Hayama Asami's perspective. Devoted loverboys are everything to meeeeeeeeee <3

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Scent of Time 10/10

Just finished watching this drama and I’m genuinely blown away. It’s already 2025, two years since this masterpiece aired, yet I only just watched it. Scent of Time isn’t the type of drama I usually go for, but here I am, about to drop my review after two days and 30 episodes later 🤣

While many might say the pacing was too slow, I’d like to disagree. This drama tackled strong themes like regret, trauma, and self-loathing. As expected, Zhou Ye portrayed Hua Qian beautifully. Hua Qian was originally introduced as a villain in the first few episodes, but after the downfall and eventual loss of her family and loved ones, she dies and is sent back in time. Unknown to her, this so-called second chance is nothing but a dream — an escape from her reality, not an opportunity to truly change the fate of her family.

Most of the episodes showing her “rebirth” focused on her determination to change her actions and those of her family, even though by that point, she and her father had already made the fatal mistake that destroyed them in her “past life.” Still, she never gave up. She fought to right her wrongs, even as the emotional weight of realizing some events in this new life differed from her past began to suffocate her. The relationships she rebuilt, the painful confrontations with her parents and older brother — all reflected the deepest regrets she carried.

One of my favorite aspects was the subtle foreshadowing of Zhong Xiwu as the true male lead. 😅 We can all agree he had less screen time than others. In fact, he appeared so little that he almost felt like a side character. That was heartbreaking for me, because he was the one I rooted for, not Hua Rongzhou. A part of me always knew HRZ wasn’t really the male lead, no matter how much the drama paired him with Hua Qian. Honestly, even Zhong Yelan, Hua Qian’s ex-husband, felt more like a main lead than HRZ.

The reveal at the end — that HRZ was merely someone Hua Qian conjured in her desperate attempt to not feel alone — was beautiful. She longed for one person to be truly sincere to her, regardless of everything else. Even though she had feelings for Zhong Xiwu, she clung to the belief that the one destined to stay by her side was Hua Rongzhou, though not even in a romantic sense. When she finally realized it was all just a dream and she still had to return to a reality without her family, status, friends, or loved ones, my heart broke for her. It’s devastating when the family you lost is still alive in that dream 😭.

And Zhong Xiwu… his silent love and unwavering dedication to her deserved more screen time. There should’ve been at least one more episode showing him by her side, helping her adjust to the reality she once left behind. Still, I think the drama tied everything together beautifully. Never in my life did I imagine loving a reverse-harem drama as much as I loved this one — and I’m glad the guy I rooted for was the one for her in the end.

After watching Legend of the Female General, I was desperate for another Zhou Ye drama and ended up picking this one, despite it having a trope I usually dislike 🤣. Honestly, I never thought I’d be able to watch her with anyone other than Xiao Jue (Cheng Lei) from Legend of the Female General 🤣, but Wang Xingyue delivered his role as Zhong Xiwu so well that I found myself on YouTube searching for clips of their chemistry. I still can’t believe how young he is — truly a super talented actor 👏🏽


Also, I just have to say how much I love Zhou Ye. I realized I might sound like a new fan since I mentioned her 2025 drama, Legend of the Female General, but I’ve actually been following her since 2023 when she starred alongside Neo Hou in Back From the Brink. That drama completely changed my view of her — even though I knew her from Word of Honor, I didn’t count that as my “first Zhou Ye drama” since she was only a side character and, honestly, I was too focused on the two male leads that year 😅. But after Back From the Brink, I truly became her fan and started watching more of her works, both dramas and movies.

Scent of Time actually came out the same year as Back From the Brink, but back then I couldn’t get over her insane chemistry with Neo Hou, so I wasn’t ready to see her with another male lead. Plus, I’ll admit I’m a bit childish when it comes to reverse-harem stories, I can’t handle it if my protagonist doesn’t end up with the person I’m rooting for 🤣🤣. Looking back though, I think 2025 was the perfect time for me to finally watch it. I’m more mature now, and I can appreciate it with a clearer, more critical lens. That being said… I still won’t be watching other reverse-harem dramas any time soon 🤣🤣.

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*Disappointed but not surprised SIGH.

PROS: Mark, Tonkla, and Nakan are nice to look at. I enjoyed Nakan's acting, which is why I even gave the show 2 stars.
*spoilers below*
CONS: UUUUUUMMM. Tong is really, really, annoyingly ridiculous. Rolled my eyes so many times. The dialogue was corny and the I could fit a whole tire in the plot holes. HOW tf does neither Tonkla OR Mark(who I expected to have at least a LICK of sense) not think to pull Tonkla off the pole BEFORE trying to heal him.....ridiculous. Chemistry between the main couple was kinda meh, maybe it's because Tong was so irksome, idk. I shipped Nakan and Tonkla more honestly. Even the intimacy scenes felt forced? Idk how to explain it, but it was not giving passion nor yearning.

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