Reviews

When everyone’s lying but somehow the plot’s still buying.

After two failed attempts, Zhao Yi Qin finally managed to hold my attention in Provoke. Third time’s the charm, I guess. Something about his performance here—measured, sharp, and simmering—finally worked. Maybe it’s the noir-esque tone, maybe it’s the chemistry, or maybe I was just too entertained by the sheer audacity of this plot to look away.

And audacious it is. Hidden identities? Check. But not just one—both leads are masquerading as someone else. He’s pretending to be the son, she’s pretending to be the mistress of the same man. I mean, either that guy was incredibly gullible, or they were counting on everyone around them being too confused to ask questions. Suspension of disbelief? Hanging by a thread.

Then there are the moments that border on parody. One man fending off a dozen attackers because his sidekick took too long to fetch help—apparently from men who won’t throw a punch unless they’re in fedoras and three-piece suits. The dry-cleaning bill alone could fund a sequel. And let’s not forget Susu (now Jingyi) pulling off a full-on Houdini act—escaping from a sack buried underground when she was a mere child. I’ve seen zombies come back with less determination.

Even the hospital hideout scenes had me raising an eyebrow. Secret doors in operating rooms? Sure, the patients won’t notice—they’re probably too busy being unconscious. Amid all the clever ploys, it’s hard not to think our leads survived mostly through dumb luck. Their tension was delicious, but I half-expected a “brother” slip-up to kill the mood, which might explain the suspicious lack of smooches.

The grand finale, though? Less a bang, more a whimper. I wanted Susu to rise and reclaim everything, not ride off on a train like she missed her stop. Still, I’ll give this drama credit where it’s due: beneath the melodrama, the redemption arcs of Wan Yi and Bao Qi were surprisingly thoughtful. Messy, absurd, but oddly satisfying—kind of like the drama itself.

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I don't get the hate for this show

So while I do agree with some points of constructive criticism around this show, I strongly believe it's the most overhated series there is this year.
LingOrm's chemistry got better in my opinion, the story was nicely paced, and may I add that the production of this series isn't bad at all. Also, Channel 3 isn't like other production companies, it's not the most expressive company for "those" kinda scenes, and that didn't bother me in this story, because I felt the focus being more on emotional growth and not the love scenes (whereas I think they stand out in a different way). This series aired in primetime on a Friday night, and bare in mind CH3 is more conservative, and this is a great step for them. I don't usually write reviews (this is my second one), but I felt the need to write one for this series. If you as a new viewer are looking for a new series to watch with more episodes than average, or if you're doubting watching this, don't. Watch it, it's a very good series. A full 10/10 for me :)

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A frustrating disappointment

Itaewon Class was one of those dramas I really wanted to love. The premise had everything: revenge, resilience, social justice, and a diverse cast. But as the episodes went on, I found myself more frustrated than invested.

The characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The protagonist was emotionally stiff, and the romance? Completely forced. I couldn’t connect with the leads at all, they lacked chemistry, and the love triangle just made things worse. Instead of rooting for anyone, I was mostly annoyed.

The villain was another letdown. He was cartoonishly evil and somehow got way too much screen time. Meanwhile, the side characters (who actually had interesting stories) were pushed aside or barely developed. It felt like such a waste.

What disappointed me most was how the show handled serious social issues. Racism, transphobia, inequality... all briefly mentioned, but never truly explored. It came off as performative, like the writers were checking boxes rather than telling meaningful stories.

Itaewon Class had potential, and that’s exactly why it frustrated me so much. It could’ve been powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking. Instead, it felt shallow and overhyped. I know a lot of people loved it, but for me, it just didn’t deliver.

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Could have been so good.....

The chemistry and story between the ML and FL is 10/10, but the long drawn out family scenes completely drag the story down, especially the ones focused on the Shen men. Yes, some of the family scenes are very sweet and cute, but this drama is trying too hard to be a family comedy. It's akin to having to explain a funny joke, the joke might be funny but when you explain it.... it's no longer funny, and the explanation becomes annoying. The Shen men scenes, 30 seconds funny, 2 minutes plus of drawn out annoying behavior, just drags the story out. It's not the actors fault, they're great but this suffers from poor editing and too much filler

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The best romantic TV-series so far and is already one of my ALL-TIME favorite TV-series!!!!!

My first review here at MDL. Didn’t plan to write it here, but I just can’t help deeply falling in love with ALL ASPECTS of this series. I will surely enjoy many more C-drama in the future, but ONE AND ONLY will forever be one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE. What you will read in the following might make you wonder whether I exaggerate…. but they are all the truth.

It was really a coincidence that I got a chance to watch this… and I really can’t thank myself watching it. I have already rewatched and planned to do so again in the future. This would literally tell you how much I love this. Worth crying and wiping tears for…

First and foremost, I can’t miss mentioning the screenwriter, production team, and the director… Everything was so delicate and thoughtful. I enjoyed almost every single scenes all 24 episodes. The storyline is beyond touching, as it has truly engraved in my heart. Costume and props were perfect.

Casting team did an excellent job! I don’t know where to start saluting them. Ren Jia Lun and Bai Lu deserved all compliments here. Many time I have watched C-drama, I tend to feel a bit of imbalancing acting between ML and FL — almost always feeling that someone is better than another. But, this one…. Their actings were superb. You two got us all mesmerized… and truly believed as if ZhouSheng Chen and Shi Yi did really exist, and everything was real. You two will be one of my favorite actors/actresses. I have already reserved the upcoming C-drama of Ren and can’t wait to watch him again. His acting skills are AWESOME AND PHENOMENAL… and got me WOW. The exact same things I felt for Bai Lu. No wonder why she has long been praised by the audience and been loved by all the fans. It is 100/10 for acting and casting, indeed. Action scenes felt real and were shot bery smoothly. Too good to be true! I’m honestly impressed.

OSTs deserved my five-star review. Most of OSTs were on my playlist, and I have repeatedly listened to them. Actually, it was because of the song “定格” - OST forever and ever… that got me here. Back to 2021, I had not yet got exposed to C-drama and Chinese entertainment industry. Thanks to the song, I just can’t stop listening to it… and one day wonder about the lyrics. I googled and knew that it was OST… and automatically tempted me to try watching. Right, I got to forever and ever first and learned later that it was a sequel. Initially, I planned to only watch it … but gradually learned that the ML/FL casting were so great and REAL. I just can’t tolerate my curiosity to fully understand everything and deeply feel what they send to the audience.. SO (haha). After finishing all 54 episodes, I have been literally unable to move on 🥹 If I carefully listen to it the main OST, it get me some tears to shade… Also, realized that Ren sings one OST. He did it very very well. His song was on my playlist too.

Last point, rewatching… I already did on some episodes… and wouldn’t be hesistate to rewatch the whole 24 episode again if I do have the time.

Overall, A MUST WATCH for those who haven’t yet watched (like me… a late comer.. but really better late than never - haha)!

I wish I could leave something in the series, but I just think I would be better for you to go watch without knowing anything… but just know that it is gonna surely worth watching and at the end, you may want to thank us!

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Dirty Handshakes and Fake Smiles

Politics is a dirty game and Mandate brought everything and served it well. Corruption at its core with back door deals, murders, payoffs and power hungry derelicts who refuse to die quietly and continue to rage against time. Their personal lives used as chest pieces for gain and strategy. Yes, Mandate was the one to watch and truly enjoy.

This is not an ordinary bl as many would have began viewing to enjoy seeing love spark and blaze bright to the end. This was a political drama that happend to have a bl secondary story. It was sobering in every way. Their meeting, the disagreements, Dr Nong's learning curve, their both failings and ultimately the inevitable fall out from their actions. Dr Nong and Wi lacked one critical part in their relationship - trusting that communication between them would always be truthful and open. Desparate to hold on, Dr Nong's unwise decision would almost be his most fatal act. Thankfully, Wi proving in the end, his experience and the ability to see the end game, would be his saving grace. They will have their moments.

Of all the deals made the most disheartening was Jump. Allowing himself to be used as a distraction from Dr Nong. Loyal to the core but at what price.

Boy's acting, especially his last scene, was supreme. Ben proved how much he has grown as an actor and was beautiful to see. The rest of the supporting cast rounded out what could be the most solid acting after Shine. Nong, Pitta and Akk were believable and committed to their roles.

The pacing, cinematography, direction and script tied perfectly together to create the intrigue, emotional pangs and revengeful schemes. The suits and ties of deception. The few moments of bl between Dr Nong and Wi were as it should. Tender, savoring and deep. Their moments together would be just as captivating as the primary plot. I loved it all.

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Good, but with flaws

Okay, so I found this by chance. I literally just put on the TV and Episode 3 of this drama was airing, so I watched it and finished it on Youtube.

I think this was really sweet and it did make me a bit emotional at times, even though I did feel almost suffocated towards the end, it felt a lot like you didn't get a break in all the drama (I mean, it is a drama).

There were a few inconsistencies here and there, not too noticeable though, the one on the top of my head is the fact that Yunje's car literally changes color from black to white (it has the same plate on the car).

However, Sung Dukmi's best friend, I did not like at all. She almost always gave bad advice, and felt like she almost didn't care for her best friend, but that could just be the character's personality. I also don't really get her and Seungmin's relationship thing, it just felt a bit unrealistic.

Regarding the humor, it was pretty fun in the moment, pretty mid to be honest, but I still liked it. It'd probably work if you need a good laugh.

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The Enemy of My Enemy is My Fate

Fated Hearts is one of those rare revenge and war dramas that actually gets it right. It begins with two rival nations at war — Jinxia and Susha — and introduces us to an invincible female general, Fu Yixiao and the ruthless yet magnetic First Prince of Susha, FSG. Their first encounter is unforgettable: she shoots him near the heart, almost killing him. But instead of being celebrated, Fu Yixiao is betrayed by her own people and thrown off a cliff, losing her memories in the fall. Ironically, she’s rescued and treated in enemy territory and the very same place the wounded prince seeks treatment.

While many dramas fall apart when amnesia enters the picture, this one keeps you hooked. Fu Yixiao may have lost her memories, but not her sharpness. She quickly regains her sense of purpose and thirst for revenge. What follows is an unlikely alliance...the general and the prince set aside their hatred to uncover the truth behind a war they both realize was rigged. Each has something to gain and watching them work together through mistrust and lingering resentment is what makes the story gripping.

FSG’s character was a standout for me. He’s ruthless to his enemies, indifferent to politics and never seeks anyone’s approval, not even his father’s. His no-nonsense approach keeps the story tight and intense for there’s no unnecessary dragging here. Fu Yixiao, on the other hand, is clever, brave, and relentless. She doesn’t hesitate to sever ties or fight her way through betrayal. Together, they’re a force; equally fierce, unyielding and bound by a strange sense of respect that slowly turns into love.

The supporting cast deserves praise too. The Emperor of Jinxia, though initially detestable, turns into comic relief when paired with the Princess of Susha, adding a surprising layer of humor to the heavy narrative. The show also handled the amnesia trope well as it wasn’t overdone or frustrating, just enough to move the story forward. The enemies-to-lovers angle was executed beautifully. You could feel the tension and pain between the leads, both physically and emotionally, which made their eventual connection even more satisfying.

Not everything was perfect though. The Prince Xia Jingshi character felt inconsistent, switching from a brilliant strategist to a lovesick mess toward the end. Feng Xi Yang, too, was frustratingly stubborn and almost ruined her arc, though her eventual redemption made up for it.

Still, the acting was top-tier across the board, the costumes were stunning and the cinematography was gorgeous. It’s a drama that balances tension, humor, and romance with precision. If you enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope, sharp dialogue, and powerful female leads, Fated Hearts is worth your time. It’s fierce, comical in parts and deeply satisfying to watch.

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Starlit Bloom: Two People, One Mistimed Meeting

🔹 Addictiveness & Bingeable: Yes
🔹 Short-form Rated for: Binge value and lead chemistry, not big-budget spectacle or complex plot
🔹 Can two people who met at the wrong time grow into the right timing together?

📕 Overview
🔹 24 episodes, around 15 minutes each
🔹 Genre: Urban romance, office
🔹 Adapted from: Not confirmed
🔹 Song Yishan plays Gu Liu Su, a perfectionist jewelry designer and brand founder
🔹 Ke Chun plays Lu Xing Chen, a carefree heir who unexpectedly becomes her secretary
🔹 The story begins when a one-night misunderstanding flips their power dynamic, forcing them to collaborate through daily tension and humor

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 The tone is romantic and lightly humorous, creating a flow that keeps you clicking “next.”
🔹 Each short episode ends on a small but satisfying moment.
🔹 Gu Liu Su and Lu Xing Chen share chemistry that develops naturally as their personalities clash and align.
🔹 The themes of timing, renewal, and unexpected connection are woven throughout the story.
🔹 Designed for mobile viewing; for commutes, lunch breaks, or late-night scrolling when you want something satisfying
🔹 I think Starlit Bloom feels comparable to Assistant of Superstar (2022) because both focus on a capable, grounded character whose relationship with their work partner develops through everyday interactions.

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Song Yishan delivers a believable performance as Gu Liu Su, balancing composure and vulnerability
🔹 Ke Chun brings Lu Xing Chen to life with charisma that feels genuine from the first scene
🔹 The supporting cast keeps the tone engaging without pulling focus from the leads

🎵 OST
🔹 Give You My Heart by Basham
🔹 Never Be Lonely by Frankie Orella
🔹 Sunset Bossa Nova by Juju B. Goode
🔹 Superwoman by Juju B. Goode
🔹 Because of You by Msick & Le’mon
🔹 Trauma by Zoee & Mir Mangdi
🔹 A Starry Night by Jishu (also credited as Shu)
🔹 Hi Fine Shyt by Zhang Tian Lei & ZIK (produced by FuryI)

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Cinematography contrasts professional spaces and personal moments
🔹 Settings shift between offices, bars, and everyday life, simple but expressive
🔹 Pacing moves quickly, offering none of the lag typical in longer dramas

☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What worked: pacing, natural chemistry, well-matched soundtrack, and structure suited for short viewing sessions
🔹 What didn’t: limited narrative depth; some secondary arcs feel underexplored

☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 9 / 10
🌿 Tea-Scale: bingeable, emotionally satisfying, and hard to stop watching
✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea: Isn’t it funny how timing and small choices can turn into something you finish before you even realize it?

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Lots of Mystery, Fantasy and Fun

A messy start, a heartfelt middle, and a slightly flat ending but overall, Genie, Make a Wish is an oddly addictive, emotionally layered fantasy drama worth giving a chance.




It felt like a colossal misfire in the first two episodes mostly because of how much information they tried to pack in right away. But once the pacing settled, I started to warm up to the characters, and that’s when the show became genuinely enjoyable. The humor shines through more subtly than expected, so some viewers might miss it and dismiss the drama as “bloated,” but it actually balances lighthearted and dark moments quite well.

Personally, I could really relate to the female lead her emotional depth and inner conflicts felt authentic. The side characters were all adorable, adding warmth and personality to the story. The side romance between the second female lead and the grandma did feel forced (and a bit odd because of the age gap), but I appreciated how the show explored the many facets of psychopathy rather than reducing it to a lack of empathy.

There was mystery & comedy and both in a more than enough manner.

There was some unnecessary repetition the female lead constantly hitting the male lead got old after a while but overall, it was binge-worthy. Despite the uneven acting and a slightly unsatisfying ending, the storyline remained surprisingly solid throughout.

Pros:
- Strong character development once pacing improves
- Thoughtful psychological elements
- Subtle comedy and emotional balance
- Relatable female lead

Cons:
- Overloaded first episodes
- Uneven acting
- Forced side romance
- Repetitive slapstick moments

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Beautiful to watch and listen to, but plot- and character-wise disappointing

The next three paragraphs contain my overall opinion and no spoilers. After that follows a very long rant containing many spoilers about what didn’t work for me.

I really liked the cinematography and loved the music, but a big part of the plot and the characters were underdeveloped in my opinion. I did not need the romance and frankly, I think the story could have been better had that time been used to further develop other parts.

It had some really beautiful moments, but other parts I just didn't care about because the story spend too little time on them. Especially the character development disappointed me. There were several characters that were not just flawed, but simply unlikeable in my opinion, so I did not care about them and was glad whenever the story moved onto the next scene without them. Other characters showed up, then disappeared for a while and then suddenly showed up again when it was convenient. And this story did not feel like it had four main characters...

My initial reaction after finishing this drama was to not recommend it, but now about two weeks later I don’t feel that strongly about it anymore. If you like the actors and enjoy a well produced show and good music, you can give it a try, but if you are looking for a really good story with well developed characters, this is sadly not the one. Nonetheless, I don’t think it was a waste of my time to watch it, it just fell short in too many aspects to rate it higher.


SPOILERS or me ranting about what I did not like:

I did not care about the romance, especially not as a love triangle.
When Akane and Naoki confessed to each other, she told him that she wasn't sure at first if it was love, admiration or fear she felt. And the series never really convinced me that she was actually in love and not just admiring him and gobsmacked by his talent and passion. Which could be an interesting inner conflict if they actually showed that, does she love him or does she simply admire him, but apart from addressing it in one or two sentences the series never dives into this topic.
I also didn't believe Naoki had romantic feelings for Akane. Love, maybe, the same he had for Sho and Kazushi, but with how deeply his character was drawn to making music and getting lost in it, I just didn't see when and why he would suddenly develop romantic feelings for anyone.

And I am really annoyed at how the script treated Kazushi and Sho.
Apart from one or two brief moments about his relationship with Naoki, how he feels about Naoki's work and his ambition, and why he joined the band, Kazushi's only point of being in this story was seemingly so they could have a love triangle. Similar to the other two, this was underdeveloped. Setting aside the fact that I wouldn't have liked this part either way, I also don't think they did a good job at showing how he fell in love, he suddenly just liked Akane. Further exploring his reasons for joining the band, his admiration for Naoki while also struggling with Naoki's way of working, and being somewhat jealous of him could have made him a far more interesting character.

And Sho... this might be my biggest disappointment, he was barely present until the last few episodes. There were some good moments that showed how calm and caring he was (unlike many others I did not see a potential romance there (although I understand why some people did :D), because, as stated above, I didn’t see Naoki developing romantic feelings for anyone, he was married to his music and to his music alone), but Sho was mostly a background figure. Sure, he was in a lot of scenes because he is part of the band, but it didn't matter to the story that he was there. Had they shown sooner how he and Naoki met and decided to start the band, I might have cared about him more.

I didn't like Kai, and the conflict with her as well as her character itself felt redundant, I cared about it so little I wish they would have cut this out.
Toya as a character was a lot more interesting, or maybe just more charismatic, but also just there for that little bit of rivalry and then gone until that brief appearance at the end. Again a character that could have been utilised in a better way.
Isagi was also not fleshed out enough in my opinion. I am not sure the story actually needed this character, but the reason for that might be that I was constantly annoyed when he was on screen.

The part towards the end about whether to try and save Naoki's life and have him get treatment, but at the cost of his spirit and taking away his music, what he cares about most, could have been great and deserved more screen time. The moral conflict of wanting to save someone and what that actually means, the wish to keep him alive, which is so human, clashing with the question whether it would ultimately be selfish to save Naoki's life at the cost of keeping him from making music which would make him utterly unhappy and ultimately break him because he would then just survive, but not actually live, was interesting, but only touched upon briefly.
It’s not even that I think this is the best potential conflict for this drama, but it would have been a great opportunity to let all the band member characters shine and show more about their relationships with each other.

There were some moments, especially in the beginning, when I did not believe in the driven genius, whenever Naoki ran around with the notebook or drew notes in the sky or whatnot, but other moments worked incredibly well. When he stayed in the studio until exhaustion, when he played and played and replayed melodies on his instruments, it was terrifying and it was beautiful. Akane had a few similar moments, showing not the same obsession as Naoki has, but her passion and determination, those were also great. I could have watched more of that, especially for the other two band members, show me more of that passion, that sparkle, that willingness to push through and create something, show me people who don't just like music, but burn for it so much that they chose to make it their life.
Whenever the show had moments like that it worked incredibly well for me. Characters who live and breathe for their music, who are driven, who are not always likeable because of that… Had the show focused more on this aspect and cut out all the scheming (the scale of which was sometimes just laughable), I would have liked it a lot more.

As I mentioned above, what annoys me so much is mainly that this story had so much potential and some of the good parts were truly great, so to have it fall flat in others parts that I would have been more interested in, feels even more disappointing.

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A good drama but .........

Actually this drama has very good starting . The first few episodes were very good . But has the story progresses the male lead and female lead develop feeling for each other from their story just started to lose its original plot. As the story continues it is back to the plot. Bot the romantic angle was short but little too much. The ending of the drama was very fast , he just recovered than killed enemy like really.......fast.

One thing I absolutely hate about this drama in the fight sequence of the female lead. I know she is a great Archer but close combat how can somebody survive with getting any injury....... Like ..... Seriously 😒 The ML depend too much on the FL.

It's just my opinion. If you want to watch it go ahead.
I have watched this drama only for Chen ZheYuan ❤️❤️ His acting is absolutely phenomenal. Love you 😘

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