Reviews

A Love Triangle That Doesn’t Leave a Bad Taste

At first glance, Serendipity might seem like your typical trope-heavy drama - love triangle, amnesia, fake siblings-to-lovers, dramatic cliff falls, all that. But here's what makes it special: the way these familiar elements are woven together creates something fresh and engaging. The Chinese title 榜上佳婿 "Top Scholar Son-in-Law" has a totally different meaning, providing a different vibe. It's currently rated below 8/10 on MDL, and I want to explain why this hidden gem deserves more love.

Why the Low Ratings?
First, there's the cultural context. In Chinese tradition, marrying someone you were raised with as a sibling (but aren't blood-related to) was completely acceptable. Many Chinese families especially in ancient times, adopted children who later married their sons and daughters. Many historical dramas feature this setup as well, but international viewers often find it uncomfortable. That cultural gap likely contributed to the mixed ratings - while Chinese platforms give it a solid above 8/10, some international viewers could have marked it down for this reason alone.

Then there's the dreaded Second Male Lead Syndrome. Song Qing Zhao is everything you'd want - noble, kind, gentle and hopelessly devoted. With a wealthy and powerful family related to the royal family, it's easy to root for such a charming man, and many viewers were so disappointed when he didn't get the girl that they could have tanked the ratings. But love stories aren't always about who seems perfect on paper.

Another reason for the low ratings is the chemistry debate. Lu Chang’s initial coldness toward Jian Ming Shu does create an interesting dynamic—but for some viewers, it also makes their eventual romance feel less convincing. At first, Lu Chang rejects Ming Shu so firmly that it turns off many viewers. This is why many argue the couple lacks natural chemistry, compared to Ming Shu’s warm, easygoing dynamic with Song Qing Zhao.

Song Qing Zhao, with his gentle humor and open affection, seems like the more natural match for Ming Shu’s lively personality. Their scenes together radiate comfort and playfulness, while Lu Chang’s lingering emotional walls make his romantic shift harder to buy—at least at first.

That said, the story does plant subtle clues that Lu Chang’s feelings run deeper than he lets on. His protectiveness, lingering glances, and quiet sacrifices for Ming Shu suggest his coldness is more about self-control (he's supposed to be her brother) than indifference. For viewers who prefer slow-burn tension over instant sparks, this makes their eventual love story rewarding. But if you’re someone who values overt warmth in a pairing, it’s easy to see why Song Qing Zhao feels like the better fit.

Ultimately, whether you ship the main couple or prefer the second lead comes down to what you value in a love story: gradual emotional thawing, or effortless compatibility. Both perspectives are valid—but they’re also why this love triangle sparks such passionate debates!

The Story
The Chinese title 榜上佳婿 ("Top Scholar Son-in-Law") refers to a fascinating historical tradition. When imperial exam results were posted, wealthy families would literally camp out at the bulletin board to "catch" the top scholars (like Lu Chang, who becomes the valedictorian) as potential husbands for their daughters. These scholars were guaranteed prestigious government positions, making them the ultimate catches.

This is exactly what Jian Ming Shu, who’s been in love with Lu Chang since childhood, does at the start. When Lu Chang becomes the top scholar, she fights to claim him first. But Lu Chang is reluctant and resents her for forcing him to marry her.

After her family is murdered, Jian Ming Shu escapes but loses her memory after a cliff fall. Rescued by Lu Chang, she's passed off as his sister "Lu Ming Shu" for protection. Their investigative partnership brings them closer, even as Song Qing Zhao enters the picture, unaware they're not really siblings.

The love triangle develops beautifully - there's humor (the guys' jealousy is hilarious—Lu Chang even gifted Ming Shu a puppy named Zhao Zhao, a homophone of Qing Zhao), tension (Ming Shu's guilt over loving her "brother"), and genuine emotion. The dynamic between the three is sweet and funny. Meanwhile, they're unraveling political conspiracies, with Prince Yu as the clear but untouchable villain as Lu Chang lacks the evidence to expose him. Every witness he finds ends up dead, making his mission even harder.

Acting & Characters
Lu Chang (Wang Zi Qi) – At first, he’s cold and focused only on his goals, rejecting Ming Shu’s advances. But as they spend more time together, he slowly falls for her. Wang Zi Qi nails the transition from indifferent scholar to a man deeply in love. His subtle expressions—especially when he’s pretending not to care while Ming Shu gets close to Song Qing Zhao—are gold.

Jian Ming Shu (Lu Yu Xiao) – Smart, compassionate, and a talented jewelry maker, Ming Shu has loved Lu Chang since childhood. Even with amnesia, her heart still pulls her toward him. Some viewers criticize Lu Yu Xiao’s posture (she slouches next to more elegant actors), but I wonder if that was intentional to make Ming Shu feel more relatable. Either way, her performance is heartfelt by portraying a spirited yet vulnerable Ming Shu.

Song Qing Zhao (Wang Hong Yi) – Noble, kind, and hopelessly in love with Ming Shu, he’s the perfect second lead. Wang Hong Yi plays him with so much charm that it’s no surprise fans were devastated when he didn’t end up with the girl.

Final Verdict
Serendipity has its flaws (like Lu Chang getting paddled on the butt but somehow lying on his back afterward), but it's a wonderfully executed historical romance. This is one of the best love triangles I’ve seen. The title 榜上佳婿 is the key to understanding Lu Chang and Ming Shu's entire relationship. From reluctant "caught scholar" to genuine love, their journey is what makes this drama special.

And yes, many viewers were too busy rooting for the SML to notice all the hints that the main leads were meant to be—like sharing wedding wine (even at the beginning), matching bracelets, and accidental love bites. The cultural elements, engaging love triangle, and political intrigue make it far better than its ratings suggest. If you enjoy dramas where the leads actually earn their happy ending, don't miss this one.

Serendipity isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s a well-told, enjoyable story with great chemistry and just enough drama. Don’t let the ratings scare you off—this one’s worth watching.

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It Hurt to Watch—and That’s Why I Loved It

Dear Hongrang is not just a historical drama it’s a slow, aching elegy for everything we lose but still carry inside us. It’s a story about grief that doesn’t scream, love that doesn’t ask, and the kind of pain that lingers quietly in the corners of your heart.

The plot begins with the mysterious return of Hongrang, the long-lost heir of a powerful merchant family, who disappeared when he was only eight. His homecoming doesn’t bring joy it brings confusion, fear, and longing. His mother, broken by grief, clings to him as if he’s salvation. His father remains cold. His half-brother Mu-jin, raised to replace him, begins to spiral. And Jae-i ,his half-sister, the only one who never stopped waitingstands frozen between love and disbelief.

This drama doesn't rush. It unfolds like a secret. Every scene is laced with silence, every gesture says more than words. You don’t watch it, you feel it, slowly, deeply, until you realize it’s inside you.

⚡The Ache It Left Behind:

I didn't know Dear Hongrang would stay with me long after the final scene faded.

At first, I thought it was a mystery, who is this man? Is he really Hongrang? But soon, I realized the real question wasn’t about identity. It was about memory, about belonging, about whether we can ever truly return to the people we once were.

What moved me most were the characters not for what they said, but for what they couldn't say.

Jae-i broke my heart in the most quiet, beautiful way. She carried so much weight on her shoulders but never let it show. Her love for her brother wasn’t loud or dramatic, it was steady, patient, aching. She reminded me of what it’s like to be strong when there’s no one left to lean on. The way she looked at him, the way she held back when she wanted to run to him—I felt all of it.

And Hongrang... I still can’t find the right words for him. He walked like a ghost. Like someone who didn’t believe he deserved to be remembered. He was always halfway gone, even when he was standing right there. But when he was with Jae-i, something shifted. He became softer, almost human again. Their connection wasn’t just emotional ,it felt spiritual, like they belonged to each other in a past life they couldn’t quite reach.

Then there’s Mu-jin. His pain was the kind that doesn’t make a sound. He loved too deeply and too quietly. You could see him crumbling from the inside out, but he never asked for anything. That kind of heartbreak,the silent kind,hit me the hardest. It made me think of all the times I’ve pretended to be okay just to keep someone close. I saw myself in him more than I wanted to.

The drama is beautifully filmed,the forests, the candlelit rooms, the haunting music. But what really stayed with me were the pauses. The unspoken words. The tension that wrapped itself around every scene like a fog. It wasn’t about dramatic twists or big reveals. It was about the ache of wanting something that’s already gone. It was about learning to live with that ache.

And the ending... I cried harder than I’ve cried in a long time. Not because it shocked me, but because it felt so real. It didn’t give me closure. It didn’t offer peace. But it gave me something more honest,a kind of quiet acceptance. It told me that sometimes, the people we lose never really come back. And sometimes, neither do we.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
Dear Hongrang doesn’t try to fix you. It doesn’t hand you easy answers or happy endings. It just sits beside you, like sorrow does, and lets you feel. It asks you to stop pretending. To stop running. To look grief in the eye and say, “I see you.”

It’s a drama about remembering people who are already gone. About loving them anyway. About living with the hollow spaces they leave behind.

And maybe that’s why I loved it so much.

Because I know what that feels like.
🪄🤍

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Not about man or demon, but the character

‒Review‒

The Demon Hunter's Romance is an engaging entry with that blends the lives of demons and humans in depicting a vivid world of supernatural intrigue, brotherhood, romance, and morality. The show deftly weaves together elements of different genres‒Xianxia, supernatural, mystery‒in mini-arcs that leave memorable characters and messages while pulling the viewer along the arc of its grand mystery.

This show was a pleasant surprise as I found the execution to be far more fluid and interesting compared to the well-received Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty and other case-solving shows. One big reason is the show didn't trigger my mini-mystery gag reflex by cobbling together a bunch of gotcha cases. Rather, it focused on making the main characters and the case characters interesting. Thus they were able to unveil the cases organically and use the cases to reveal more about the struggles, motivations, and qualities of the characters. The pacing was fast and even (which are common issues in CDramas), with plenty of comedy and well-choreographed fight scenes sprinkled in. The show also employed supernatural Chinese folk lore very creatively, in creating the lore and depicting it on screen.

As for the actors, the two leads were quite convincing in their performances. And plenty of veteran side characters helped deliver the laughs and emotions along the way. This is my first time watching Song Zuer and it was easy to see why she's considered one of the most capable actresses of the younger generation. To go through the whole show being connected to her character and never taken out of scenes makes for such an easy and enjoyable experience. *[In fact, the only thing that took me out a bit was SZE's looks. She was already considered one of the prettiest young actresses, and would have appeared more natural without doing any cosmetic work.] Allen Ren, who I had plenty of issues with in past shows, was a pleasant surprise. He fit the cool, stoic character really well and was even able to deliver enough of a emotional note for more moving scenes. Same goes for the supporting and case characters as I can't think of a single character that ejected me. While nothing was Oscar-worthy, I'm more delighted with a show free of acting issues.

The ending was sensible if not somewhat poignant. While the love-love-kiss-kiss contingent may not be happy, the ending was hardly some plotline terrorism that detonated characters and HEA for no reason. In fact, this was a pretty happy and positive ending. It even preserved the deep love connection between the leads and left open opportunities to meet again in the future.

Overall, this was a pleasant surprise that can be summarized as 'it's not about idol or not, but the show quality.' This is an idol drama, a mystery, somewhat Xianxiaish, and has a romantic focus. These are not the typical elements of shows I enjoy. But it was done well here and the romantic elements was not gratuitous (perhaps not gratuitous enough for some). In fact, I hope this becomes a show that all costume idol dramas can learn from and aspire to. Like Mysterious Lotus Casebook in 2023, this show did a lot of things well and avoided the typical landmines. And it was able to succeed even if it didn't go for something spectacular. Rating: 8.5 (8 + 0.5 MDL adj)

‒Category Ratings‒

- Overall - 8 + 0.5
- Plot - 8
- Theme / Concept / Impact - 8
- Acting - 8
- Visuals - 8
- Audio / Music - 8
- Rewatch - 8
- Cultural/Topical Accessibility - 7.5
- Subtitle quality - 8

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What A Knockout!

Ep 4 - Ughhh how can this keep getting better! Thun with his soft plushie side, I can’t stand it, yes I can, no I can’t, yes I can…’blow on it for me’ STOPIT, NODONT 🤣😳😂.

Likes: all of it

Not so much: I like it alll.

Funny/special moment: The Heartless Left Hook - sounds like a s€x position lmao 😳🤩🤣.

Ep 3 - the story is developing intriguingly.

Episode 2 - oh my heartbeat. My blood pressure can’t cope with the drama or the hard hitting action 😰♥️🤣.

Likes: all. Not so much: Nothing.

Funny/weird moment: Ms Muay - on Keen’s mobile as ‘Loan Shark Bitc$’ is perfect haha lol. I’m glad she’s not over acting her role as the script alone is tight and just needs enough nuance from her to really make her evil #loveher #hateher.

Episodes 1 - what a start!

With the title of ‘Knockout’, you better have some good action and amazingly it does.

When Gun, playing ML Thun turns to Keen, played by Nice Boripat Jamsat in the first scene I got chills, he reminds me of a famous Southeast action star, I just can’t remember who. I’m in love lol 🥷🥊♥️.

Likes: so many, a first for me.
* OMG Samart Payakaroon Muay Thai boxing legend playing Uncle Petch is da bomb 💥.
* It has a gorgeous music score moving from classical guitar, to modern pop, to ambient and atmospheric.
* All new leads are very strong, the older Thai actors are da bomb diggety, so good.
* So much subtext is happening between the support cast of characters Pakorn, Ait, Boong, Marwin and Klao directed so sharply by not so suprisingly Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee.
* Ms Muay - what a bitc$ bahahaha she’s so good, I hate her lmao but really.

Not so much: ummm…nothing. It’s fiercely antonist driven and I have a feeling my hearts going to be wrenched from one corner of the boxing ring to another!

Funny/weird moment: sah cute seeing some of the ‘Joker’ series set.

I have high hopes for this now, may the power of ‘word of mouth’ be strong form this BL and if not thank you to the writer, production team and cast for an outstanding piece of script, direction and acting, brava.

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Incredible story

Wow… I haven’t watched a tv series like this in the west. From beginning to end its story is so gripping with suspense and the music really helps to create this kind of creepy suspense. Instead of the usual “who done it?” trope, it explores more complexity behind each of the characters, not painting anyone as purely good or evil, but rather complex characters with weaknesses and fears, who make mistakes.
Sadly some get punished while others seem to go free. But ultimately guilt and the belief in guilt is its own punishment.
The pristine quality of the shots and sets are just a treat to watch. I love seeing how all the different characters are unveiled throughout the series in layers and complexity. It’s hard to even give a review of this series with words as it creates more of a feeling within me and it’s something that I still need to process. This is one that has some rewatch value for sure

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Something is Not Right – The Fragile Line Between Friendship and Love

Adapted from the webtoon Who Can Define Popularity? by Tak Bon, the Korean BL drama Something is Not Right brings together Choi Min Ho as Do Ba U, Jung Je Hyeon as Ji Hun, and Ji Min Seo as Jung Ha Min in a story that is as much about unspoken truths as it is about learning to listen. At its core, it’s a tale of missed chances, fragile longing, and the delicate thread that binds two friends who don’t quite know how to cross that final line.

The story opens with a slow burn that’s both familiar and arresting. Ji Hun and Do Ba U have been friends for years, tethered by a bond that neither has been brave enough to define. When Ba U’s quiet, unspoken love for Ji Hun becomes too much to bear, he tries to sever their connection, forcing Ji Hun into a corner he wasn’t ready to face. It’s tender. It’s awkward. And it’s the perfect kind of messy.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/05/17/something-is-not-right-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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Better then people give it credit for.

Honestly, this wasn't bad at all. I think people didn't like how the main characters were loose before getting together. So people didn't not have empathy for them or understand why their characters made the decisions they made in the relationship. Which wasn't helped by the kinda mid acting. But the story was solid and I enjoy the character growth of both the main leads. Breaking the shells of the childishness and past traumas to love and trust each other. Their were some weird parts, but over all enjoyable and I can rewatch the whole thing. And I enjoyed all the side couples. Some cliche tropes are definitely in this, but I am old enough to enjoy stories anyway as long as it with in reason of the story. I enjoyed this alot.

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Age related confusion

Why does Chinese drama insist on casting someone in their 30s to play a 17 year old? It's so incredibly annoying to try to force my brain to accept something that is so visibly untrue. FL is pretty, a good actress - and obviously not a teenager. I don't think it's enough to make me stop watching but it ruins the overall feeling.

But...a new favorite actor! How is it that in all my years of watching C-dramas I have never before encountered Yu En Tai? The man has a face like a rubber mask, emotions changing quickly and effortlessly. And the subtle crazy look was terrifying! I am in awe.

An earlier review stated this needed more episodes and I agree. It felt very rushed in the last five or so episodes and the ending was unsatisfying. Would I watch again? Except for a couple of exceptional actors, I doubt it. But I don't feel I wasted my time.

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Good, could've been better.

It's good. Could've been better. The story seems patched-up in various parts. You get the feeling that they are trying too hard.

It's kind of trademark of Netflix produced shows - they try to do lots of things in one go. Sometimes, it works, most times it doesn't.

OST is pretty good, bit boisterous at times. The acting by all actors especially Lee Jae Wook is tremendous.

The story is set in medieval period. Hongrang (LJW) once disappeared, appears again after 12 years as a mercenary. Is he the authentic Hongrang or not? That's what we find later. Why he disappeared? That is one of the main plotline of the story. Another plotline Sim Jae-Yi figuring out whether the Hongrang in front of them is real Hongrang or not.

Should you watch it?
Yes. There is no reason not to watch it unless you're not a fan of LJW, Jo Bo Ah.

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