Reviews

It's FANTASTIC!

==Breakdown==
Background plot - 35%
Romance - 50% (it's romance heavy and I would definitely call this a romance)
Misc comedy - 15%

Background plot - EXCELLENT
Romantic chemistry - EXCELLENT
Misc comedy - EXCELLENT
Production value - Pretty good

I recommend this drama for people who love: Love stories, complex characters, twists in the plot, supernatural / fantasy elements, he falls first and harder, enemies to lovers.

First, I feel *so sorry* for anyone who dropped this masterpiece early on. The first ten episodes are absolute fire; and then it slows down to a simmer, building and building, until episode 26 when everything is insanely awesome until the end. AND THE END!! One of the most satisfying endings I've ever seen.

Other reviews will likely go over the basic plot, but what I wish I'd known before going into this drama:
1) Don't look up spoilers. Go into it blind because there are so many AMAZING twists and turns. Just let yourself enjoy the story, the pay-off is MASSIVE.
2) You will become a massive Cheng Lei fan after watching this drama. Accept it. Embrace it.
3) You will have a huge drama-hangover when it's over and nothing will hold your interest for a long time. I can't seem to watch anything else because I keep wishing I could watch this one again for the first time. :-(

This show now lives in my top three CDramas of all time, which are (in no particular order):
'The First Frost,' 'One and Only,' and now 'Shadow Love'

Read More

Beautiful Chemistry Makes Doctor’s Mine an Enjoyable Watch

I know the plot is weak, the story is poorly written, and it’s yet another university-themed BL, but I honestly really enjoyed Doctor’s Mine.

All four male leads are absolutely stunning and gorgeous. Mon and Kan are great together, their chemistry and little moments of jealousy are fun to watch. Mild and Knight also shine as a pair. Even though episode 5 was rough to sit through, Knight apologized many times and Mild chose to forgive him, which gave their relationship more depth.

The NC and kissing scenes were all well executed, adding to the enjoyment of the series. Despite the flaws in writing, it was still entertaining and kept me watching with a smile. Not every BL needs to be perfect; sometimes a simple, lighthearted series can still be really good. Doctor’s Mine is one of those shows, and I had a great time with it.

Read More

The only drama I keep rewatching. The pure romance story in every moment.

I finished Hidden Love ages ago but never got around to writing a review, mostly out of laziness.
Over the weekend, I rewatched it again and once more I found myself completely falling in love with the drama. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it.
The storyline may be simple without big twists or dramatic peaks but every moment is beautifully shot.
Just watching the sweet and ordinary love between sang zhi and duan jiaxu perfectly fulfills my romantic imagination of what it feels like to fall in love.
So far, this is the only drama I can confidently rate a solid 10. Nothing else has surpassed it for me.
I truly hope another drama will come along that makes my heart flutter in every moment even in something as simple as the way the leads look at each other just like in Hidden Love.

Read More

Well-paced healing journey of two individuals you want to root in a beautiful setting

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

At first glance, “Falling Before Fireworks” seems to be just another healing drama of two lonely individuals who have very different personalities and lifestyles. But as you dive deeper, the way the story and tropes are a little bit unconventional in a good way. It’s not a perfect drama, especially the last arc (which I’ll write more later). But the drama has good pacing for a healing drama, a strong and independent FL, beautiful sets and scenery and cute puppies.

It took me a couple episodes to really like FL. She was introduced as a money-hungry, super career-focused individual who will do anything to get a promotion. But as you get to know her and think about the cultural difference in China and the Western world, you may start to like her, empathize with her and root for her success. I am glad that her focus and independence as a strong career woman remains true from start to finish. ML is a quiet craftsman living in a rural area surrounded by peace and culture. A very different life and experience from FL. But who doesn’t like an opposite attracts romance, especially when affection and understanding are developed slowly. It’s totally my kind of drama and romance, especially when we have a marriage of convenience on top of it.

Yes, there are misunderstandings but not too frustrating. I think it stems more from the upbringing of the main leads. They may seem very different, but what they long for is the same - to be loved and to have a home. Both are self-sacrificing, withholding the need to ask for help from each other, because throughout their lives. They had to in order to survive, fight and maintain affection from their loved ones. For that, I am willing to give the non-communication a pass. However, they are also super supportive of each other in interesting ways. Once they found out the other half was being mistreated (big and small ways), they seek revenge for the others. This brought us some funny and heartwarming moments.

The love triangle is unique in a way. I was worried that it’s going to drive me crazy but it didn’t (except I don’t quite like the voice of 2FL). OK, I did question why FL continues to remain friends with 2FL after her ‘open’ pursuit. She should be smart enough to see through her sly actions. The brother’s arc brought on some anxiety but I was pleasantly surprised by how that ended. The support cast is lovely, even those co-workers in the beginning.

I love the ML’s house and that quiet part of town. It’s nice to take a break from city life and see how simple people can live. That house is beautiful. Find me a bed and breakfast like that, I would love to stay there, especially when the host is as handsome as Chen Xin Hai. The drama also spends a lot of time showcasing Chinese arts and crafts from lantern making, to wood sculpting, to drawing and painting. I love all that except for the last business arc. I knew it’s coming and I dreaded it. I wish the drama has focused those episodes on FL and her parents and more couples. It's just a little preachy and nationalistic for my taste. But I also understand if I am not a foreigner, the local audience would love it. That’s why this drama has an excellent score of 7.7 on Douban, especially when it has no big name actors.

“Falling Before Fireworks” gave me quite a roller coaster ride of emotions. I’ve shed some tears (god bless you, grandpa), cooed at the cute puppies (they never seem to grow big but who cares as they are cute), grinned and smiled through a few cute and romantic scenes and gestures. I do want better kisses though.

It’s a somewhat low budget drama that went under the radar. I may not love the dubbing and the business arc in the end, but I had a great time binge watching these 23 episodes. If you are looking for a healing drama that’s not too slow-paced, with great scenery and lovely individuals, this is worth a shot.



Completed: 9/7/2025 Review #622

Read More

I am currently mo yu-ing at work writing this review.

My colleague told me this would be a hilarious watch. After the demon arc I scolded her for introducing me to this kind of heartache. You must understand, as someone who also aspires to be FL level of xianyu, I am very emotionally delicate. I also like to laze about and be happy and eat good food. The first part of this show promised that but later on I was seriously cheated. The life of a highflier is really difficult. You have a rich husband but the rich husband's problems also become your problems and because you're nothing but a salted fish, you have no choice but to be dragged around by the whims of others. I thought I could live vicariously through this FL but I was mistaken. A rich husband seems to give more problems than working a slack 9-5 job.

The romance was steamy and the amount of times I saw them kissing is even more than the times I see my parents kissing. I'm not complaining. I was eating popcorn while they were going at it and was very satisfied by this bit of entertainment. Their romance was built well and I relate to her initial unbothered attitude. Progression was not too fast or too slow and I liked how they had no misunderstandings between them. The truth spell is really very useful. Both characters were believable and sincere with each other even when she lost her memory.

For something that started so unseriously, it suddenly got too serious in the 2nd half. I stopped laughing after around episode 20. And i was crying buckets of tears during THAT episode. I hate crying it's so tiring and uncomfortable. I didn't sign up for this. It's like when you see advertising for free ice cream but when after you get the ice cream they tell you to exercise on the spot if not you have to pay the full price. You already ate the ice cream so you have to commit for the sake of your wallet. But once it's over, they give you free ice cream again and at this point you're too afraid to accept it. Once bitten twice shy. Our FL was bitten a lot of times but never shy. I cannot relate.

The addition of the irritating 2ML ruined my good feelings. In a way, as a xianyu myself, I would have liked the show to follow the same light-hearted manner of the first arc. I understand it would not be as much of an emotional rollercoaster, but it felt like their dynamic changed in the demon realm. In the novel, there was no 2ML to plot against them and no evil demon lord. They tried to make the show more exciting with twists and turns compared to the novel but to be honest, I don't think it was necessary, maybe too many twists were added. I read the novel after watching the full 33 episodes. Nianjiu was fine as a character but after reading the novel, I think I liked the pet snake who became their 'son' more.

Overall, will rewatch for the sweet romance and the first 19 episodes but not for the plot.

TLDR: I expected a light-hearted show but what I got was pain and some dog food to ease it.

Read More

Unexpectedly delightful...

I wish I had the words to describe this drama. It was a hard start for me, if I'm being honest. I'm not usually one for cheesy and quirky, but I pushed through and I'm so glad I did.
I'll have to admit one of the reasons I had stuck with it was because of Ji Chu. I'm a sucker for a misunderstood, but cunning and dark character that actually is the male lead but sticks with his morally grey-ness and doesn't completely 180 and become the "good guy" (That man was fully willing to draw blood down to the end until he lost his love in his world).
Now I had to get to about episode 10-13 to really be into it, having a character from the current day in ancient times, usually they try to assimilate as best as possible in order to survive, right? Not Hua Chingge. She was NOT afraid to make remarks that made no sense in their time period, honestly I thought someone would think she was mentally ill or deranged and confine her at some point. But as the plot progressed, it really added to the story and the other characters development (For example, her "mindfulness club" for Prince Feng, Wan'er, Yao Yao, Prince Yun, Gongye Qi and Ji Chu). All of these characters are developed thoroughly, in my opinion.
What really captivated me, though, was watching Qing'er fawning over her characters after seeing her seemingly just wanting to get her book over with. She was tired and so ready to be done with her story, just wanting people to like it because it was "different". But as everything progressed she began to understand what she'd written, what she'd skimped on as a writer, and how her pushing through certain plot lines had their own cause and effect, for better or worse. She had no idea how writing Ji Chu, with little attention to how he became a "villain", and focusing just on him being a villain to the story, caused his life to become mostly one of suffering. It was like watching a mom dote on her children, especially with Prince Yun, whom she'd written to be upright, just, and kind. When she told him she was extremely disappointed in him, I felt that as a mother scolding her child.
At the end we see her getting a drama adaptation for her story, now rewritten with her guiding hand after living through it. I can only assume that because of that, the readers got the WHOLE backstory on every single character, saw that the righteous characters can have their flaws (Prince Yun's and unfortunately to her demise, Wan'er's, being their blood ties), and that the supposed "villain" can have their reasons and their own justice.

Now I didn't change my review based on this, but... My only gripe would have to be Wan'er, and Gongye Qi. Oh how they deserved better. I know, it's a story and it is what it is, but I truly wished that Wan'er would get to be free and have a happy family. I wanted Gongye Qi to bring his clan back up (not to become imperial physicians of course) with his love and finally get to rest. I'm honestly surprised they chose to let her perish, especially seeing that Prince Yun who allowed his mother to rampage and cause most of this got a fairly decent end. Even Ji Chu had to live out his lifetime to meet Hua Chingge again. Something always has to be bittersweet with a Chinese Drama!

Read More

He gave up on everything for her, but couldn’t give up on her!

Sometimes love is silent gazes & patiently waiting for your loved ones. “Moonlit Reunion” is an experience that needs to be savored slowly and cherished. I went into this drama with zero expectations and came out thoroughly entertained. The reason to start this show was obviously Xu Kai, but I fell in love with it because of Tian Xi Wei. I have seen her previously in quite a few shows, but this was the first time that she made a real impression. As the half human Cat Lord, Wu Zhen, she had to portray dual roles. One was that of the infamous County Princess Qinghe. Wu Zhen is the Empress’s sister, born as the second daughter of the Duke, she has always led a carefree, unrestrained life. But in reality, she is the Cat Lord or the Second Master of the Demon Underworld. When the former Cat Lord died protecting the mortal realm from the Heavenly Fire Disaster, he meet her unexpectedly and transferred his powers to her. For eighteen years, she has masquerading as a spoiled Princess during the daytime and as a diligent Cat Lord during the nighttime. The story majorly revolves around her and rightly so!

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/09/08/moonlit-reunion-series-review-ep-1-to-38/#more-2033

Read More

Loving It

This drama is absolutely amazing so far. I would suggest if you enjoy the drama, Mr. Queen, you would enjoy this one also as it has the same premise though different in certain aspects. But the main consensus is that both of the female leads our chefs and it’s very interesting to see. Also, the comedy in this drama though cringe at times is well played out and doesn’t leave anything feeling flat. I will say we already did get a kiss by episode episode four which was really surprising, but I like how instead of the kiss basically destroying the story like it does in some K dramas it’s progressing the story in a good way and they’re not dwelling on it too much but they’re not completely ignoring it. I’m very excited to see where this drama goes overall. I feel like Kim Yoona has gotten a lot of flake for her acting in King the land but I feel like she’s improved a lot. And I also love the most recent episodes this subtle reference to Gee. Anyways, so far this drama is going good and I’m hoping it’s going to stay on the right track. I will say by the end I’m predicting a nice rewatch value. I will say when I first started watching it the male lead was making me overly angry but overtime I’ve come to understand everything.

Read More

Title: Jin Ri Tian Qing Yi Ai Ni is a very good romance vertical miniseries with ML: Zhu Yi Wei (as Gu Han Song) and FL: Bai Xin Yi (as Li Xin Yi /Xu Muran) in the leading couple’s role. This drama revolves around Gu Han Song and Li Xin Yi’s lives as they come together after a one night stand where they were both drugged by people that they knew who had different agendas. Gu Han Song had already liked the female from their unexpected foreboded encounter with Li Xin Yi when she was escaping an arranged marriage and took him for a chauffeur. After the one night stand, she gets pregnant and, even though there was a misunderstanding that is cleared early into the drama, they get married and a story of a beautiful love begins. Both leads are strong minded characters with great values and steadfast feelings toward each other. It is endearing seen how Han Song becomes desperate to find Li Xin Yi after she was kidnapped and saves her from attempting to die while she is in a state of despair and desperation. From then on, a strong bond starts to form and they learn how to trust each other and grow deeper in love. Great romance story, enjoy it!

In the meantime, you can find this drama on YouTube under the caption: “朱一未&白昕怡 夫妻檔新劇 愛情像晴天一樣溫暖，夫妻檔新劇甜度爆表！#短劇 #甜寵 #總裁灰姑娘#MiniDrama #甜寵短劇社” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivSv_C2ecIw)

Read More

A Masterpiece People Are Sleeping On

I don’t usually write reviews, but Shadow Love has completely blown me away, and I feel like more people need to know about it. This is easily my favorite drama of 2025, and trust me, I’ve watched a lot.

The premise itself is fresh and bold: a superhero story set in ancient China. It feels like a clever answer to Marvel’s global success, but instead of copying, the production makes it uniquely Chinese in both spirit and execution. The world-building is rich, the action is sharp, and the storytelling ties it all together in a way that feels both modern and deeply rooted in tradition.

At 38 episodes you’d expect some drag or rushed arcs, which is a problem in many long Chinese dramas. But not here. The pacing is masterful. Every storyline is given enough space to breathe, and nothing feels confusing or underdeveloped. I never once felt lost, and every subplot tied back beautifully to the main narrative.

And then there is the chemistry. Cheng Lei and Song Yi absolutely light up the screen together. I know some people hesitate to watch because they are hung up on Cheng Lei’s previous roles or Song Yi’s off-screen rumors, but honestly, that is a shame. Their on-screen connection is electric, mature, and natural. They bring out the best in each other. And yes, Cheng Lei has plenty of shirtless scenes sprinkled throughout, which definitely does not hurt (I may have replayed a few too many times.....🥺🥺)

Speaking of Cheng Lei, he was born for action roles. His fight scenes are exhilarating, but what impressed me more was his range. In his previous dramas, he often played cold, domineering types. Here, he is carefree, playful, and charismatic, yet still deadly when needed. His ability to switch between these personas shows just how versatile he really is.

As for Song Yi, this was my first drama with her, and I’m stunned. Some viewers have criticized her use of a bow as her main weapon, calling it impractical, but honestly, her fight choreography is still compelling. What really sets her apart, though, are her emotional performances. Few dramas have ever made me cry the way Shadow Love did, and that is largely thanks to Song Yi’s ability to embody grief and vulnerability with such raw power.

Overall, Shadow Love is a drama that deserves way more attention than it is getting. It is not just another historical fantasy. It is a rare combination of gripping storytelling, stellar performances, and unforgettable chemistry. If you are sleeping on it, you are missing out on what I would confidently call the best drama of the year.

Read More

p*rn not plot 10/10

maybe I’m just high, but this is getting full stars because it was literally just an excuse to film some pretty men banging and I support that so much

okay there was *some* attempt at plot (faceless!changmin hooked up with teacher once, couldn’t get over him and sent his buddy to find him; but why was teacher trying to hide from changmin? the almost!plot thickens!)

I literally only clicked to watch this because it was listed under new kdramas and now I’m wondering if it was supposed to be there 😂

ive now discovered this is actually the side story to something else, so im gonna have to go watch that now

Read More

I've tried twice, but still can't stand to finish it.

I first tried watching this a year or two ago because of the high ratings, but I couldn’t go further than episode 1.

Now, two years after it came out, and after finishing Twelve Letters where I really liked the ML, I came back to give this another shot. But it still can’t catch my heart. I had to keep speeding and skipping through because it’s just boring and cliche. The ML’s acting is actually worse than the FL’s, and the story feels childish. Especially when you come watching this right after Twelve Letters, surely it makes you feel like this is a kids’ play.

This time I pushed myself to 3 episodes (as well as skidding through a couple of ep.10+ and the ending), but the feeling hasn’t changed. I wanted to drop it just 10 minutes in. It’s bubbly, shallow, and has no real essence. I honestly don’t get why the score is so high.

Read More