Reviews

Second Time Around - Still 10/10

I watched Shine (Orchestrated) twice - big screen and small – hoping that I would be able to write a review that could show the excellence of this drama, as a straight-out drama, and not just a BL drama.
I did not succeed. Shine will go down, in the annals of Thai tv drama, as the best script, acting, cinematography, OST (who else listens to the OST on Spotify) and authenticity of the era in which it was shot. I was 10yo (in Australia) when the Americans landed on the moon, so the whole hippie era was all around me.
Let’s look at the BL side of this show, as that is the overriding theme–
Miles and Apo had their roles reversed from those in KinnPorche, and how amazing were they? There was a real depth to their characters that was only hinted at in KP. Miles, as the free-wheeling hippie, was both attractive and funny, but later on showed his deep side. Apo, as the clean freak, buttoned-up academic made the viewer want to call out to the screen “take off your tie”. In fact, that first scene in the back yard of ‘Tanwa’s’ shop, where ‘Tanwa’ got him down to rolled up trousers and shirt, was ‘Trin’s’ awakening. In contrast with KP, they only had one sex scene, and a cheeky skinny dip, but, even as a Yaoi, I didn’t find that a problem. The scene was so tastefully done, that it was worth the wait.
SonEuro – wow! Just Wow! They were so well-suited to their roles -so different, yet perfectly-matched. How explosive were their sex scenes?! The piano scene, where they switched roles! I hated the ending of this pair, and the character that instigated their separation – ‘Dhevi’! Someone else, who hated the ending, an amateur BL writer, Esther Down, has written an alternate story of ‘Krailert’ and ‘Naran’, but changed the names, and most of the background – although the era is the same. (You can find her story on Wattpad, under Esther Down, “Ballan and the Colonel”)
The script writing – I am in awe of the writers – Ning, Pond, Den, and Bua – their collaboration alone on this complex script is legendary. The way they wove storylines together – Tanwa’s mother’s novel, the letters between Sarasawadee and Krai lung, the student protest content and Trin’s diary – was perfect. Who wrote the humourous lines and scenes? – so funny! However, it was the poignant, heart-wrenching lines that really made this show the epic tale that it is.
I held off watching ep8 again for as long as possible – it still had me in floods of tears, though! Why did ‘Dhevi’ have to be so cruel?! The wrenching scene where ‘Trin’ gives his uncle the letter from ‘Sarasawadee’, and after, when ‘Lert’ cries uncontrollably! ‘Tanwa’ in the depths of despair, in a continual drug-induced fog, being brought back to life by his father, whom we all thought was a cold-hearted man. ‘Lert’ writing a beautiful song to his beloved, who is miles away from him, and probably never to return. ‘Tiva’ kneeling down to ‘Victor’s’ parents, blaming himself for his death!
This show also had three brilliant – and beautiful - actresses!
‘Moira’ (Nok Sinjai Plengpanich) who could believe that this amazing woman is 60 years old?! She *was* Moira – a strong, independent woman of her time.
‘Dhevi’ – as much as I hated the vindictive person that she became – I mean, how can you say you “love” someone, when you treat them like that? – I found her acting magnificent. Didn’t we all want her to hook up with the sweet ‘Veera’, at least once?
And ‘Dao’ ("Punpun" Sutatta Udomsilp) – she owned that shoe “bitch slap” in the café after ‘Naran’ told her he loved a man! (seems the actress has bounced back from a bit of controversy, perhaps with maturity?– so, good on her)
I have only one thing to point out to the Production Designer - "Tum" Pawas Sawatchaiyamet, - who did a phenomenal job in reproducing 1969 Bangkok – the type of plastic bags (“freezer” bags) that ‘Victor’ used to bring ‘Trin’ his meal, were not around at that time. An absolutely miniscule error, that this pedant picked up on – sorry.
This is a 10/10 show, that I will probably revisit in years to come.

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Sword and ... definitely NOT beloved

The GOOD 👍:
Perfect music: the songs will be stuck in my head for a long time, they're so beautiful, both the melodies and the lyrics ✨🎶

Amazing costumes, accessories and hairstyles for ALL the characters and especially the main ones🌸💫: this stylist should get some kind of award because every recent drama with their work is a feast for my eyes when it comes to the characters' looks. "Sword and Beloved", "Love of the Divine Tree", "Shadow Love", "Fated Hearts", "Love In The Clouds". Just STUNNING. 😍My deepest respect for their incredible work.👏

Fantastic fighting choreography⚔️🔥, it was really impressive and I loved all the epic fight scenes. Very detailed and professional polishing there. Especially with Fugui's powers, it was so fun to watch him obliterating his enemies.😎

Acting🎬: Cheng Yi, Guo Jun Chen and Chang Hua Sen brought to life really wonderful characters that I will always remember fondly. 💔With the scenario they had, they did their absolute best and I am grateful for their devotion.

The BAD 👎

Romance🙄: It was a BAIT from the beginning. Only in the very first episodes, the main "couple" had the chance to build something but it was cut short when the toxic, obsessed, trash entered the picture and ruined everything till the end. 🤬AAAAALL the focus went to the love stories of the side characters with no room or time for the mains. They did us DIRTY. 👿That's not what ANY of us wanted. We were treated like CLOWNS.🤡

The villains🥱: you're trying to tell me after all the crap Quan Qingting did... They STILL let him run around with no-one checking up on him??? 🤦When there's a SNAKE, if you don't want it to bite you, YOU CUT OF ITS HEAD. Cause it WILL kill you. You end it the moment it's down, otherwise you'll regret it forever.

Qing...cheng...🤮: HORRIBLE character, served no purpose other than keeping the main couple apart, childish/amateur acting by the actor, I feel like his only line was JIE JIEEEEEEE. 🤮He ATE like 12 episodes and brought nothing to the table. I wanna erase his memory from my mind.😖

Gullizan or whatever she was called😒: Short lived. Another meaningless character with the depth of a needle pin. She was forgotten before she even existed in the drama.

The absence of Cheng Yi from many episodes.😡 That was... I HAVE NO WORDS. 🤬Everybody and his dog had screen time and we were struggling to even spot a time stamp with Fugui in certain episodes. 🧐What the hell was that????? ☠️What idiot decided this, WHO REMOVES THE ML FROM HIS OWN DRAMA???? 🤦I swear to NEVER watch anything from these writers EVER AGAIN.😾

And as for the ending... 😞

To say I did not expect Fugui's sacrifice is a lie. I wouldn't have minded sooo much if he had actually LIVED a little. 😢Everything good went to the third couple, the lovey/dovey scenes, the marriage, the happy ending. 😮‍💨Even the doomed second couple had romantic scenes, they had kisses, they talked about love and marriage. Even if they both tragically died, they shared precious bonding moments. 🥺But Fugui and Qingtong were deprived of that because of QINGCHENG. 🤬My blood boils every time I mention him. I can't believe how much bad impact he had on the drama. He literally destroyed the main part of the story.

I haven't fully watched the two previous FSMM dramas, just bits and pieces but at least those main couples were ACTUAL couples. 🫤Heck, the Red Pact couple got their happy ending in the modern world. What did we get????? 😓Fugui first killing Qingtong and then sacrificing his last life force to bring back her original form. We can GUESS that blue butterfly was Fugui's soul and prooooobably he'd reincarnate and return to her but open endings are GARBAGE. 😠I DON'T WANT TO GUESS. SHOW IT TO ME. 😤What happened to "we'll travel the world together to see the rivers and the mountains and all the sceneries and we'll always be together...". I'M DECEIVED.

Sigh... I'm just so disappointed. 😭This had the potential to be one of the best C-Dramas ever and now it will leave a bitter taste in my mouth every time I remember it. 😢If Cheng Yi wasn't the ML, I would have dropped it halfway. He's the one who kept me watching for support. Now, I'm just looking forward to his next projects to recover from this disaster... And HOPEFULLY, he'll have a happy ending for a change...🥺🙏

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Not Just a Drama — A Study of Trauma and Love

Wow… I honestly don’t even know where to start with this drama. On the surface, some people might call it “toxic” because of how the characters behave, but honestly, that’s just scratching the surface. If you really pay attention, you see two broken souls, each carrying trauma, trying to love and connect even though they’ve never really learned how. Their choices can be frustrating, impulsive, or selfish sometimes, but they feel real — human in all the messy ways we actually are.

The acting in this drama is incredible. The main lead… wow. Just wow. The way he expresses so much through just a look, a subtle smile, or a pause is insane. You can feel everything he’s carrying: the past, the longing, the internal conflict. It’s raw and heartbreaking, and at the same time, sometimes kind of beautiful. The supporting cast is also amazing, each character feels real and layered, not just there to move the plot along.

What really hits me, though, is the ending. It’s not a simple happy or sad ending, and it’s not supposed to be. It’s symbolic, emotional, and makes you think. It’s about the journey of self-discovery, understanding yourself, and the idea that no matter what, you can’t run away from who you are. It lingers with you, long after you finish watching.

Overall… this drama hits hard, in all the right ways. It’s emotional, sometimes frustrating, sometimes heartbreaking, but completely worth it. If you like character-driven stories, deep emotions, and dramas that make you feel, this one is definitely worth your time.

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A love that exists between the lines

Some shows announce themselves with grand gestures. The On1y One does the opposite. It slips in quietly, almost shyly, and before you realize it, the story has wrapped itself around you with a kind of emotional precision that’s hard to shake off. Directed by Kuang-hui Liu, this Taiwanese drama reaches far beyond the usual boundaries of a love story. What it offers is an intimate, quietly devastating exploration of identity, longing, and the complicated paths we take toward becoming ourselves. It’s the kind of show that sneaks up on you, settling into your thoughts long after the credits roll.

At the center of the story are Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang, two boys just trying to survive the messiness of adolescence, school pressure, family expectations, and the kind of insecurities you don’t admit out loud. When they first meet at school, they can barely stand each other. Their constant bickering sets the tone for the early episodes, a dynamic that feels familiar but never forced. There’s no sense of comfort between them at first, only friction. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the energy between them begins to shift. What starts as chaos gives way to curiosity, then to a connection that feels complicated, hesitant, and undeniably magnetic.

In the very first episode, the series establishes the central complication. Their parents are in a relationship, and the private world Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang have only just begun to build at school is already on a collision course with their lives at home. As the possibility of living together enters the picture, the emotional stakes deepen almost immediately. In lesser hands, this development might have tipped into melodrama, but here it adds real weight. The series never rushes their evolution. Every lingering glance, every quiet pause, every gesture charged with meaning builds a tension that defies easy labels. What grows between them exists in a fragile grey space, shaped by desire, fear, and uncertainty, a kind of love most people don’t even dare to name.

What sets The On1y One apart is its maturity, a willingness to sit with discomfort without trying to smooth it over. The show handles themes like desire, identity, guilt, and emotional responsibility with a sensitivity that feels rare in the genre. Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang’s relationship is messy and unsure, filled with fear and self-doubt, but also with an honesty and tenderness that make it impossible to dismiss. Benjamin Tsang and Liu Dong Qin deliver performances that border on hypnotic, communicating volumes through the smallest shifts in their expressions. They don’t need dramatic monologues; their eyes do the heavy lifting.

Visually, the series is a quiet masterpiece. Soft lighting, muted colors, and intimate framing give the story a gentle melancholy, as if every scene is caught between longing and restraint. The camera lingers where it matters, allowing emotions to surface in the pauses rather than in grand gestures. The cinematography turns even the smallest moments, a hand brushing past another, a shared silence, into emotional landscapes that feel deeply personal. The soundtrack follows the same philosophy. Delicate and poetic, it works as a second layer of storytelling, capturing the loneliness, hesitation, and tenderness the characters are too afraid to say out loud.

The show isn’t perfect. Some side plots fade into the background, and a few supporting characters feel more like sketches than full portraits. But these small flaws hardly dent the impact of the central narrative. The ending, open and unresolved, is quietly devastating in the best way. It doesn’t tie everything up with a bow, and that’s exactly what gives it power. It leaves you with that bittersweet ache of a love that wasn’t meant to last but mattered deeply while it existed. By the time the final scene faded out, I was wrecked, the good kind of wrecked. Tears, the whole thing. It’s a finale that holds you gently even as it breaks your heart, the kind that reminds you why stories of impossible love linger the longest.

With all of that said, The On1y One ultimately stands as far more than a BL series. It’s a quiet, powerful exploration of growing up, of learning to recognize your own desires, and of finding the bravery to embrace feelings that don’t always fit within the world’s tidy expectations. Whether a second season ever arrives almost becomes secondary, because what we have now already feels whole: a story that settles into you gently and stays, as long as you allow your heart to meet it halfway.

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A history that feels like home

My School President is the kind of show that sneaks up on you, not with spectacle or big twists, but with warmth. In a TV landscape full of heavy plots and high-stakes heartbreak, it feels like a small refuge, a pocket of comfort you can slip into whenever life gets a bit too loud. The premise is simple enough, but simplicity isn't a flaw here; it’s part of the charm. From the very first episode, the series mixes comedy, teen romance, and a soft thread of melancholy in a way that feels intentional, unpretentious, and honestly refreshing. I watched it once, then watched it again, and somewhere along the way it just became one of my comfort shows. Even now, after several rewatches, every episode still lands with that same gentle warmth in my chest.

At the center of it all are Tinn and Gun, whose romance is the emotional anchor of the series, and the reason so many viewers fall headfirst into this story. Gemini Norawit and Fourth Nattawat might be newcomers, but they act with a level of sincerity that makes their chemistry feel almost effortless. Their dynamic isn’t built on melodrama or forced misunderstandings; it’s built on support, affection, and those little moments that say more than a dramatic speech ever could. And yes, even something as silly and sweet as using chemical formulas to flirt (Na Ra K, “narak,” meaning “cute”) becomes a moment worth swooning over. Their relationship is one of those rare teenage romances that feels both idealized and entirely believable.

But My School President doesn’t rely on its leads alone. The supporting cast is full of characters who could easily carry their own stories, and they bring a sense of community that gives the show real emotional texture. Satang Kittiphop, Ford Arun, and the rest of the lineup make even the shorter scenes feel lived-in and real. Their friendships are messy in all the normal ways, teasing, arguing, forgiving, but there's a sincerity to the way the show treats these connections that keeps everything grounded. It understands that teenage life isn’t just about first love; it’s about learning how to trust, how to show up for people, and how to let yourself be shown up for in return.

And then there’s the music. You can’t talk about My School President without talking about Chinzhilla, the fictional band that ends up giving the whole show its heartbeat. The soundtrack isn’t just background noise; it’s part of the storytelling. Performances weave into emotional beats, lyrics echo unspoken feelings, and suddenly you realize the show has built an entire atmosphere around you. “Just Being Friendly” stayed stuck in my head for weeks, and honestly, I didn’t mind. It felt like carrying a piece of the show around with me.

What sets the series apart is its tone, soft without being dull, emotional without being overdramatic, and surprisingly sincere in the way it handles the awkwardness and vulnerability of being young. There’s a real affection in the writing, a willingness to let characters fail, hesitate, and change without punishing them for it. Dreams, fears, friendship, first love, the show hits all the familiar notes, but it does so with an honesty that makes everything feel new again.

As the story moves toward its final stretch, the emotional stakes rise in a way that feels earned. The last episodes deliver some of the most heartfelt moments in the series, balancing joy with a kind of gentle sadness that sticks with you long after the screen fades to black. The ending isn’t tragic by any means, but it carries that bittersweet ache that comes from saying goodbye to something that mattered. I wasn’t expecting to cry, and yet there I was, crying anyway, because it didn’t feel like just a show ending; it felt like parting ways with people I’d grown attached to.

And maybe that’s the real magic of My School President: it makes small emotions feel big, and big emotions feel safe. It turns everyday teenage uncertainties into tender, meaningful beats. It gives you characters who feel like friends and moments that feel like memories. In a world where so many series try to impress you, this one just tries to hold you, and somehow, that ends up being far more powerful.

In the end, My School President isn’t just heartwarming; it’s restorative. It feels like a warm hug disguised as a story, the kind of show you return to not because you forgot what happened, but because you want to feel that softness again. It’s already become one of my safe places, and I know I’ll keep coming back to it whenever I need a reminder that kindness, sincerity, and a little bit of teenage love can still make the world feel lighter.

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Fabulous story with great humour but ending was just too meh

The cast, acting, costumes, production values and fight scenes were excellent in this well written and often very funny gem of a drama.

I loved watching Liu Xue Yi as the male lead Yuan Zhong and Tiffany Tang as the female lead, Ji Tan Yin. They played their parts brilliantly and brought lots of humour to the first 3/4 of the drama. From the get go, they had chemistry as their relationship developed from High Priest and pesky handmaiden who won’t leave him alone to two people very much in love. The other actors were also very well cast and I really enjoyed them all as they added humour. After all, who doesn’t love a very unpredictable, gold guzzling 4 year old Spirit Warrior or an artist who hits on the FL much to the disgust of the very jealous ML?
Unfortunately though I thought the ending was too bitty so I marked the drama down because of it - my understanding is that the fault lies with IQIYI who cut the last few episodes. Did Mei Shan really only get to be a God for one day, if so why not just let him become part of the tapestry? Why didn’t the Thunder Gods get involved at the end of the conflict and reward the heroes and rescue the fallen? Did Yuan Zhong take up the invite to become a God? Was the ladder permanently fixed?
All in all a lovely watch but I’m not sure I want to watch anything else that Liu Xue Yi has been in as this isn’t the first time his love interest dies and makes me blub like a complete saddo.
Would I watch it again? If I wanted a light hearted, feel good drama (ok, the ending left a lot to be desired) then absolutely

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This is what it means to match somebody's freak

The headline was just to keep me lighthearted as I wrote this review right after watching this drama. There is absolutely NOTHING lighthearted with HWY, freak is a bare understatement, and this review will contain trigger warnings as shown in the drama: mental illness, abuse, violence, and sexual assault

Let me start by saying that the psychological thriller genre is too complicated and complex to be defined by the typical or expected dramatization we usually consume. So, when approaching this drama, one has to be prepared to watch with an open mind, because everything that happens in the story can be beyond reasoning, like how existence is.

The synopsis shared on this page sums up the plot of HWY well, but nothing can prepare you for how it will unfold. It is well-established right from the start that Yu Tian Dong is batshit insane, and he is consumed by his love/obsession for Nan Xing. YTD will always surprise you at how low he can go for NX, he will shock you with how unreasonably obsessive he is, yet you will also be given the chance to learn where he is coming from. From a fictive perspective, his character was well-written and well-reasoned out, which is why I pitied him alongside NX; but in real life, I would be so scared shitless if I got to meet a man like him. He is a walking disaster, and YTD himself knows that. But what I really loved about the story framing was how it showed that YTD is not just driven by his yearning for NX but also by the severe trauma and abuse he had to face growing up. And we know damn well that traumas, especially when deep-seated, greatly influence someone's drive, morality, and reasoning in life. I don't fancy YTD for who he is, but his story was given justice by the drama's writing. But I also believe that such a character won't be convincing if the actor doesn't portray his story well, and I am already on my knees saluting Zhang Chi for a job freaking well done as YTD. ZC is truly no joke on this drama—you would never see any glimpse of ZC throughout the eps, only YTD. He didn't embody or act out as YTD; ZC brought him to life. Him acting like a madman was too realistic, too convincing, so I wish he had gotten a proper mental training and debriefing for this role. His range is probably the most tested here in HWY, and I can bravely attest that he has surpassed his Lu Zhi (Mutual Desires) performance with Yu Tian Dong. God, Zhang Chi is an experience—only by watching him can one deeply understand why many are hooked with him this year.

Surprisingly, I liked Nan Xing's development in this story. In stories like this, and in the typical plot trends in the short drama scene, it is so easy to manipulate the FL's character just to highlight the ML even more. Hell, her character is already problematic to begin with—she defied ethical boundaries of her field of work just because she was drawn into YTD's complex character. But I don't think it's enough to say she manipulated YTD, the tension between them is already beyond their client-patient relationship because YTD knew how to push her buttons (which is not an isolated case for all the doctors who wanted to treat him). Truly, it can be seen that NX was fixated with the belief that it is only she who can cure YTD, and as toxic and questionable as that sounds, that literally is the seedling of her growing feelings for YTD. We can criticize NX for being unethical, but I don't think we can really judge how she "loves". I liked NX's character because she was written and shown as someone who is still bound by her past traumas growing up, yet she is fully aware that she has to keep negotiating life if she wants to continue moving forward. Her goal of living a normal life, while almost hopeless, was her long realization after being with YTD the first time, and we can't really blame her for that. She knew as a psychologist that life is full of second chances, and it isn't a crime to be optimistic about something that you wish to happen for yourself. But she also knew that the very moment her relapses always involved YTD that her life would never be normal. But yet again, what can be seen as "normal" in this drama, right? Nothing about NX and YTD's lives was ever normal. And so I'm fascinated by how NX was made a psychologist with her own unresolved traumas because it depicts how multi-faceted humans can be, even beyond reasoning. I am so drawn into Lin Zi Lin's performance as NX; she perfectly delivered what a mad, insane person trying their best to be sane and normal would usually look like. We can clearly see exactly when NX tries to act perfectly normal, when she is crumbling down, and when she has gone mad. She could've been easily overshadowed by ZC's psychotic performance as YTD, but she knew the balance of calmness and madness that NX has, and she performed damn well. I would love to see her in more challenging dramas like this.

I'd love to talk more about the plot and how this deserves a full-length series on its own. But since this is a character-driven narrative, I have already laid down most of my thoughts just by reviewing the leads alone. I don't know how common plots like this are in short dramas, but it is clear that it defies the repetitive plot elements we are so used to. Every episode was necessary to the development of the story, and seeing how well-delivered it was only shows that the team behind this really took their time respecting the story. With how saturated the short dramas industry is, maybe dramas like HWY can help usher in more challenging and morally gray stories for us to enjoy.

Favorite part: The press conference where YTD acted like he was having an episode, and the cousin expecting NX to expose YTD's mental illness.

[Edit: If my memory serves me right, there was no physical violence between YTD and NX. All toxicity comes from their own heads, and I don't know which is better...]

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The Guide to Conquering a Black Lotus- In its Enthralling,Magical,Whimsical Glory.

I could not look away. My eyes, heart and soul were captured by all Episodes that "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" delivered. I always had it in my back of my mind to watch this HitDrama ever since i saw it airing on youtube but i never came around to it until now, unsure if it would be to my taste and time. Oh, i should have known better.

We follow the heroine and her group of friends that eventually calls themselves the five Bamboo Masters. Dedicated to capture evil demons and save the world. It is an unforgettable adventure filled with obstacles during their hard journey, but firm bonds get created. Everyone of them connects with their past and deal with accepting themselves.

In the centre of this adventure we have the (Oh so) smoldering romance between the Demon Catcher MuSheng, who despises the heroine MiaoMiao early in this story, not knowing she transmigrated from another parallel universe to change the ending of this novel. So the system decides that MiaoMiao need to conquer the heart of the very ruthless and brooding MuSheng.

(I live for Romance Stories, like this)

I mean, sparks. So many sparks between MiaoMiao & MuSheng that my eyes literally hurt and i could NOT STOP smiling like a love-sick fool everytime they appeared on-screen. Their romance is overflowing and incredibly developed. I mean their charm, their hilarious bickering and banter. To watch the high and mighty MuSheng who cares for nobody and nothing but his sister MuYao TOTALLY FALL HEAD OVER HEELS FOR our sweet heroine MiaoMiao. Esther & YuXi totally won me over with their captivating performances and on-screen chemistry. The way he gazed at her with such fervent longing and adoration.

I mean, my heart could not handle that! Their love-story folks, is absolutely out of this world heartwrenchingly beautiful. MuSheng is a hero to die for, never expected to have my heart stolen by him like this. His stubborn and fierce nature, his hilarious moody features, how he oozed danger and charm in a very APPEALING WAY. I mean i found him so attractive!

Yeah, i am totally gushing and fan-girling! I am gonna miss everyone in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy. When the Ending Credits rolled in the Final Ep my tears just flew down even more.So many memorable memories! Roller coaster of emotions this story gave me, Truly a Gem of a Treasure.

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Forget the romance - just enjoy the stunning visuals and beautiful soundtrack.

CY has captivated me since MLC, so I’ve really been looking forward to his future works. Among all his upcoming dramas, I personally picked this one because of all those gorgeous costume photos and the “love storyline” they mentioned on Wiki and MDL — which made me think, “Okay, this is gonna be a good romance drama.”

But honestly, if they hadn’t branded this series as a “romance drama” or part of the “iQiyi Heartfelt Theater,” I think it would’ve done a lot better. People would’ve gone in with different expectations and probably enjoyed it more. The so-called “romance” mostly happens with the 2nd and 3rd male leads, which feels like a big joke. That misleading “romance drama” label really backfires by the end.

The first half of the drama was great — it built up nicely and hit its peak around episodes 12–13. Those episodes gave me so much hope for a solid love story in the later part. But after that… the story just went off track, and logic basically flew out the window. Even though the original Wangquan Arc was short, I still believe this could’ve been a masterpiece if the production team had a clearer direction, because the potential was huge. Instead, it feels like they didn’t really care and just went wild without a solid story plan. There are many choppy cuts that make the story feel disconnected and messy.

Even if the main focus was supposed to be WangQuan FuGui’s life journey, they could’ve still added the romance along the way — it’s totally possible. But they just didn’t. So personally, I’ll just pretend the Wangquan Arc only runs from episodes 1 to 13, and the rest are just bonus stories.

I’d give this drama 7/10 — mainly for CY’s stunning visuals (those costumes were gorgeous and stayed perfect till the end), his acting in emotional and fight scenes (though I still think his performance in MLC was stronger), and the amazing OST, especially 焚爱 (Burning Love) by Rainie Yang in episode 12. That song is still stuck in my head until today!

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I really enjoyed this series. The whoe thing was a rather comforting watch for me. Chocolate realy does just put me in a better mood and can just soothe me in my worst moments.

I thought Oguri Shun and Han Hyo Joo were really good together as Sosuke and Hana. I liked the supporting cast especially, Akanishi Jin as Hiro. I liked that each episode focused on one of the speciality chocolates and how the were made. The show had some very emotional moments for me and It broke my heart that Sosuke thought he was dirty as a child after his brother died causing his phobia of not being able to touch people. I cried a ton in episode 7 too after they read Hana's apology letter. I could relate to her phobia b/c speaking in front people has always been hard for me.

11/9/25

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Forgetable and Regretable

And I thought Journey of Legend was bad, Sword and Beloved is even worse. It’s like the first time I had sex: quick, confusing, and utterly forgettable.

In a sea of talented Chinese actors, Cheng Yi somehow feels past his prime and yet he shouldn’t be. Maybe the blame lies with the production company or direction, but the hype surrounding this drama only made its failure more glaring. For someone once known for emotional intensity, Cheng Yi now looks stuck in an endless cycle of recycled expressions and overwrought suffering. What once felt passionate now feels mechanical.

The series started with an interesting premise but quickly fell apart. Between the filler “lovey-dovey” scenes and paper-thin plot twists, it felt like a desperate attempt to stretch mediocrity into forty episodes. Cheng Yi’s character barely anchors the story, more like a bystander watching others die, much like in The Journey of Legend. Apparently, death follows him more faithfully than any love interest.

There is no sword and definitely no beloved in this series. What it should’ve been titled was “Spiders Have Feelings Too.” The pacing is lifeless, the writing uninspired, and the production forgettable.

At this point, I’m convinced Cheng Yi has fallen victim to repetition- same roles, same expressions, same emotional clichés and the result is cinematic déjà vu.

Final Verdict: 3/10. A stunning example of how hype and habit can kill artistry. I’m officially dropping this show and taking a long break from Cheng Yi dramas

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Loved this drama until I didn't 😬
Wang Anyu was the most perfect ml casted in this. I don't believe that anybody else would have done as much justice to the character had it not been him. First time discovering him and WOW, I'm blown away by his acting. Sadly, it was stifled by the fl actor. I feel so bad for him- he really carried the show on his shoulders, his emotions were felt through the screen before he even delivered his lines. I've never seen anything like it.

Now, onto the not so good parts. The show is called "Be passionately in love" but that passion was very much one-sided. Throughout the show, you could see Chen Luzhou's character develop and become open and vulnerable with his feelings, which in turn matched his words and actions. The fl however, stayed the same. No growth. No understanding or consideration for him, even though she expected those things from him. Her "feelings" for him, didn't match with her actions. Also, she's frustratingly selfish throughout their relationship. For instance, Chen Luzhou experienced a traumatic event and the first thing that comes out the fl's mouth is, "do you miss me?" Girl, be so freaking for real?!? 😤

The guy compromised so much of himself throughout the course of their relationship and she literally stayed the same, if not worse. I don't understand why anyone would put any effort to be with someone like the fl's character.

Anyway, it was great until it wasn't. The second leads were enjoyable to watch too. All the other characters like the fathers and the math geek guy were funny.

Loved Wang Anyu's performance in the show. Can't wait to see him in more things.

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Choose your own ending

The first time I watched, I watched all the way through. Now I watch right up until Yu Xi Gu leaves for the grocery store, turn it off, and pretend it ends there.
it isn't so sad that way, and doesn't make you hate all the time you've spent watching it. Except for all of the violence, class disparity and family abandonment, this is in my top 10 BL dramas, as long as I stop it at the right point.
Not to say it isn't beautiful the way it is written, and I love that part too, but just for feeling great about the rematch, for me, it is easy to leave the end off.

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Holiday fling that grew into true love - I ❤️ this drama!

I wrote a review of this drama on subreddit CShortDramas so copied & pasted here.

I never paid attention to new releases but when I found out that Zhao Zhen Dong and Cui Yi Liang acted together in a drama, I immediately paused another vertical drama that I was watching and watched Love at First Sight instead. It usually doesn't take long for me to complete a vertical drama but I had to prepare dinner, eat, shower & write 2 posts for r/CShortDramas and finally at 1.30 am local time, I am writing this review.

What I liked:
1. Romance - I liked it A LOT because it was realistic. “What would you do if you met a person who could be THE ONE while on vacation?” - that always in my mind and I totally understand hesitation about long-distance relationship (LDR) when the romance is still new. Distance does make the heart grow fonder for these two.
2. Acting - Great to see Cui Yi Liang in a softer role because she always portrayed a domineering woman or a woman enacting revenge for the injustice she faced in the past. I also liked Zhao Zhen Dong's raw performance because I have not seen him in this type of role.
3. FL characterisation - I loved that she was bold but sensible. I also loved her honesty about her feelings and expectations. It's great that we got to see FL at work. She was a capable lawyer but most importantly a great friend.
4. ML characterisation - Yes, another ML not a CEO. He was a gentleman - he respected her wishes not to discuss LDR. I also loved that he was strategic by sending care packages. That last “courier” was touching.
5. Styling - Cui Yi Liang always wear fabulous clothes in most of her short dramas I have seen. She was gorgeous in this drama. ZZD had various types of outfits from laidback handyman look to the more sophisticated suit. Well you know you gotta dress well when meeting the parents.
6. Language - Aaaaawwww another vertical drama with significant Cantonese dialogue. Loved hearing ZZD speaking Cantonese.
7. Proposal - Aaaaaawwww so sweet. I loved it that both had the same idea but FL popped the question first.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - Mei who was sister to ML's friend. She took advantage of ML when he was drunk and that is just unacceptable. If roles were reversed, it'd be a massive fuss. Anyway I was glad that he noticed before it was too late & told her that they were no longer friends.

Favourite scene
Last “courier” for FL

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