Reviews

Story and Cast captivates from the beginning

This drama really surprised me! I expected it to be very serious and possibly draggy storyline but it was none of that. Right from the 1st episode I was invested and couldn't wait to see what was gonna happen next. Loved FL! She is stunning and played the part of a strong intelligent woman perfectly. ML did fantastic playing the dark cruel leader and clueless new husband that knew nothing abt being thoughtful or love. They are now in my list of TOP 3 best couple chemistry bc their dynamic is off the charts so good especially the intimate scenes 🔥 like I needed cool down time for those! The supporting cast is just as phenomenal. Usually in dramas theres some characters you get so done with watching but not with this one. The 4 generals to the ML are hilarious and such a highlight! Their sparks of comedy really made it best parts in the show. one of the them, Wei Liang is so cute and such a romantic. His fun relationship with Xiao Tao is adorable and I couldn't wait to see them get married BUT the writers had to break my heart and have him killed. Omg I just know everyone was bawling! I do wish we saw more of Liuyang scheming bc he made a good villain. The lady with the mask had more villain time imo.The pacing of the show was great. I wasn't bored at any time and nothing dragged out. Unlike many other dramas that rely on misunderstandings in the relationships to help the storyline along this one is an enemies to lovers tale that is all about how much the couple trusts each other. Any miscommunications are resolved immediately too which I love bc i get so frustrated when other dramas drag those out forever. I will definitely rewatch this!

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Cute But Toxic

The show starts off with questionable (noncon) behaviour by Han Tao towards his childhood friend Junxi.

The first half of the show was somewhat interesting but with lack of honesty and communication between the two. They also had a sweet friend Lin Xiao Yang who was supportive of them. Fortunately they did not create an evil woman trope which many BLs do. There are also some cute moments. This ends the positive aspect of the drama.

The couple are not really that well suited since Han Tao is extremely insecure and that impacts Junxi too. He lies to Junxi and uses very wrong methods to approach him instead of being direct about his feelings which is extremely problematic. They spend several episodes running from each other instead of communicating openly and honestly. When Junxi needs space romantically to figure out where his feelings are, Han Tao starts to completely ignore him which I found quite manipulative. It was also revealed that in the past, he actively blocked any women that tried to approach Junxi instead of confessing his own feelings. In real life, this couple will probably not last since they are insecure and jealous. To be honest Han Tao is not only a bad partner but also a terrible friend.

The writers also added so many misleading cliffhangers in the episodes which made it seem like they were purposely trying to create drama without there being any need for it. That led to even more annoyance while watching. This continued till the very end of the show where they introduce a big problem in the second last episode and it turns out to be a nothing burger in the end. Honestly it felt like cheap tricks to make viewers go through an emotional rolloercoaster if you are watching the drama on-going week to week.

It would have been better if they had put some focus on the two girls - Lin Xiao Yang and He You Mei or trying to get the main leads to work towards a healthier relationship. Instead they just added new issues each episode.

The drama is all right. Not really something to talk about other than the nonconsensual and toxic behaviour that wasn't really addressed. For me, it made me lose my intial interest and some episodes also felt boring. I also grew to dislike Han Tao.

The main OST called Sunshine, however, is pretty awesome. I love listening to it.

Since the episodes are around 20 - 25 mins long, it's okay to watch once. But if you skip, you're not missing much.

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Disappointment

WARNING!!! - This review is scathing on a few levels - production, storyline, pace, and acting....
Im a huge Yang Yang fan but Immortal Ascension was not one of his best efforts here's why, the focus was on Yang Yang and not the blending of all actors into the plots and subplots, YY's character was overused and glaringly obvious from the start. Other characters never got a chance to develop and kept the plots and subplots at a generic level - cos the camera was always on YY???- visually i liked it like all XanXia series - but this series lacked good storyline to back it up since the beginning shows why YY goes on an ascension training journey - even tho some good fighting scenes in the series, by ep 24 I was done with just seeing YY always on the cameras view....The pace also was soooooo slow and generic too...compared to Shadow Love with Ryan Cheng and Song Yi and The Wanted Detective , The Legend of Female General all kept you engrossed in the series because there was a grip hanging after each episode....(the signs of a good director and production team). So, in ending, IMMORTAL ASCENSION the series needs its own ascension journey to come up to the standards of the aforementioned hits....Shadow Love, The Wanted Deetective and The Legend of A Female General, and many many others to name here....

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One time watch, realistic, feel-good, and cute romance drama

This drama did everything right — strong, independent women with careers, and the show actually takes us through the ups and downs of their journeys. It features beautiful friendships, heartwarming family dynamic, realistic and adorable love stories for all the leads, great cast chemistry, light-hearted moments, and no kissing scenes yet romantic moments that fill your heart with joy. It also touches on some bittersweet, harsh realities of life and shows how the characters navigate through those situations. I also love that the show started strong and only got better in the second half.

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I loved so much !!!

At first I had a lot of trouble with the FL and finally I understood her pain and that she had to open up little by little to others. The LEAD has a role that is not very advantageous because he is hung on the desires of the FL, it's true. But hey if you know this actor you know that he is not capable of having a bad role and so much the better because it is as an adorable boy that we love this actor! (Even if in moonlit ....) for me this drama is a success because it arouses interest until the end. Who dares to say that the chemistry is not good? You are CRAZY! They have a great chemistry! Just for the romance go for it!!! Because yes it is not a thriller, you are in the wrong place and had misunderstood the posters if you think that ahah

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All Polish No Passion

Production

Harmony Secret arrived with impressive polish and premium production values, positioning itself as one of the year's top Thai GLs. The series boasts glossy cinematography, premium production value, and a strong soundtrack. However, beneath this polished veneer lay significant flaws: awkward cuts, odd shot choices, scenes that felt constructed entirely around product placement, and repetitive flashbacks that undermined narrative momentum. The direction prioritized visual gloss and action over grounded intimacy, ultimately leaving the romance feeling hollow.

Plot

The pilot episode delivered everything fans hoped for—passion, heat, and undeniable potential that garnered over 7.8 million views. It felt sexy and intense, promising a story of fire and boldness that had viewers genuinely excited. Unfortunately, as the series progressed, this initial heat quickly fizzled.

Rather than building on the passion established in the pilot, teasers, and source material, the show devolved into repetitive bath scenes, soft cuddles, and intimacy that felt perpetually cut short or reduced to mere flashes on screen. While LMSY's chemistry remained palpable—oozing from every shared look and moment—the writing and directing seemed to actively hold back from delivering the payoff fans were anticipating.

The story relied too heavily on rivalry as its central conflict instead of developing meaningful tension and character growth. It's clear this director isn't adept at romance, leaning heavily on conflict and thrills rather than genuine connection. This left LMSY's chemistry and acting to carry the full weight of the romantic storytelling, as they were hardly given actual scenes where their characters could genuinely connect—especially outside the bedroom. When they did connect in intimate moments, those scenes were not only cut short but felt so tender they didn't match the intensity level their relationship had supposedly reached. Subplots went nowhere, filler scenes added nothing substantial, and the constant breakup-reconciliation cycle made the romance feel both forced and shallow. Emotional intimacy was consistently missing, with the series appearing desperate to look romantic without actually creating the moments that generate genuine romantic feeling.

By the finale, instead of the power-couple ending that fans would have loved and that could have elevated the entire narrative, viewers were left with more of the same repetitive content that made the series feel like an extended marketing campaign—luring audiences with the chemistry and passion of the pilot, only to deliver what felt like one prolonged advertisement for ponds.

Performance

LMSY's exceptional chemistry and acting prowess carried the entire series. Their longing looks and emotional delivery gave weight to scenes that otherwise lacked substance and fire. However, even these strongest performances couldn't compensate for the director's apparent lack of vision regarding romantic storytelling or the numerous subplots that led nowhere: Mae's father's fake illness, Ai's mother's mysterious hiding, Ai's father's threats toward Yam, and P'G's martial arts skills—all introduced more questions than answers.

Verdict

Harmony Secret succeeded in being thrilling, dramatic, and visually premium, but ultimately proved repetitive, hollow, and frustratingly restrained. It's a series of all polish and no passion. As an LMSY fan, there's still plenty to enjoy—they shine brilliantly in every moment they're given. But as a romance, the series falls significantly short of its potential, leaving viewers with much to be desired and little satisfaction for their investment. All in all LMSY deserved more and so do we.

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A classical masterpiece homegrown thriller. A great drama. A real kdrama mastery. IT IS ON VIU

This is a masterpiece kdrama..... After the hilariously funny 1st episode, it turned into an amazing and very meaningful thriller with tinges of black comedy.... very homegrown :) and endearing.... and tiny bit of rom com :) It is a masterpiece kdrama. The plot, the filming, the acting, it is all mastery.

This is the best kdrama currently airing, and also airing in a while, because it is just ... meticulously done, amazing, story, masterfully filmed and acted out.

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i m so glad they are not sugarcoating the Lawyer :) aka Judge... his character is so hilariously clumzy and endearing...
And I am glad they are not sugarcoating the Scooter Lady.....and not making her tougher than she is.. learning about her past is so... well... makes her human....

I love the romance

and I love the connections that Shin keeps with so many fun people...

I love this series. Such a great thriller in a very warm way
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After the 1st episode, I was smiling .... after I was laughing so hard, this is HILARIOUS ...... It shows very serious stuff through the comical lens, finding small details, small moments, that are funny and light, finding something precious in every moment, bringing the best out of people coming together in their lives to make it better. It is filmed BEAUTIFULLY

Nah, it is not cheesy LOL it is very down to earth common sense :)
super comical, warm, and meaningful. The right kind of fun for the soul.

The music is amazing, the filming is amazing, the plot is amazing LOL and the acting is amazing.

Whoever filmed this is very creative and I am very thankfrul for their efforts and expertise.

ENJOY WATCHING!!!!

The ending credits OST - it is absolutely amazing music, so fun :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHEUjcK4mRI

And this funky instrumental:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TccH8cqg-ew

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Imo the value of this drama is that it provides a meaningful solution for all wannabes who want to be Weak Hero Class One or One High School Heroes - this drama is an alternative solution, if you REALLY wanna be cool...... all those fighting-for-fun dramas are just DUMB and this drama is a lot better outlook on life
and it is totally home grown, we dont get to watch some high up in the sky ambassadors and professional assassins, we get to see our own neighbors and ourselves. I LOVE IT.

A Hundred Memories speaks about our life also, but from the point of view of digging deep into human relationships and provides insights into our daily life and leading to profound changes there.

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I will never look at the moon the same again

"I love the moon but the moon doesn't know,,, do you still love the moon? yes. then the moon belongs to you."
He yan and Xiao Jue were sooooooooooooooooooooo cute from the first episode all the way to the last I enjoyed the romance. This drama is also like super mulan from the army base scenes, He yan disguiseing herself as a man, Xiao Jue giving Shang, ANDDDD even the hot springs scene from mulan like EVERYTHING JUST REMINDED ME OF IT. The only thing I'd say is that the last like 4 episodes were a little pointless with how much screen time the second male lead got and how predictable his storyline ended up being. OH OH ALSO HE YANS FIGHT SCENES ARE ONE OF THE BEST ACTION SCENES IVE SEEN!!
"she graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart."

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A story that is both interesting and disturbing

I started watching this series encouraged by many phenomenal reviews. I was horrified when I saw the amount of abuse, especially sexual abuse. The ML constantly forces other MLs into uncomfortable situations, ignoring clear rejections and no's. Thankfully it fades out through the story. But I think people should still acknowledge just how evil the ML is, even compared to the real villains of the story. Overall the series is very enjoyable, refreshing and has an actual plot. All the characters are fun and have distinctive personalities. Acting is phenomenal; you can FEEL the emotions. So I would recommend it if you can pretend a few things happened differently and not glamorize abusers.

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Strong Start, Dragged Middle, Emotional End

Stay tuned after the ending song—there’s a surprise finale waiting.

Overall, I enjoyed this drama, though it could have been trimmed down. Instead of 40 episodes, a strong 25 would’ve been enough. Still, the title does not disappoint—it truly is “Love Never Fails.”

From episodes 1 through 15, the story was deeply touching, moving at a steady pace that kept me hooked. Both the ML and FL shined in their roles. Despite the ML’s many titles and hardships, his love for the FL never wavered. Meanwhile, the FL was endearing, passionate, and full of charm.

From episodes 16 to 28, however, the story began to drag with the repeated rebirth cycles. Each round gave the ML and 2ML experience, helping prepare them for the role of Heavenly Emperor—but it stretched longer than necessary. Interestingly, the FL never experienced rebirth until the very end. That raises one lingering question for me: Magpie told her, “You have no soul.” If that’s the case, how was she able to be reborn at all—and only once?

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