This review may contain spoilers
#proposal
I appreciated the beautiful locations, like the boat at the beginning or Budapest (not so used usually), the soundtrack well adapted to the scenes, a fantastic cast always well dressed, a singular plot.Choices, sacrifices, emotions, misunderstandings... all in one.
It all starts when Xi Yi wants to propose to his girlfriend Anna on a cruise boat, but the girl thought well to put her career before her life as a couple and agrees to go dancing in Paris and leaves him alone on the ship. On the other hand, Jia Xin, this simple girl spends all her money to offer this cruise to her boyfriend, but she will be disappointed to find out he was a liar and cheating on her with his lover. So these 2 find themselves consoling each other. They will later discover that they are legally married and that she is also pregnant. He loves Anna, but he is also a responsible man who takes care of others and has decided to live with his "wife" until she has the baby, then divorce and be with Anna.
But... Months pass and the time will come to choose between these two women: one, his first love, a selfish girl who puts her career before him, or the other girl who carries his child in her womb and does everything for him.
When he chooses the second, the first fights strenuously to win back his love.
Jia Xin feels guilty for having "stolen" her boyfriend.
Something bad happens and this boy is left alone, only this so-called "friend" by his side and the memory of his great lost love. A very sad moment.
After 3 years, when he goes on a business trip to Hungary, he will find himself face to face with his ex-wife and try to reconnect with their lost relationship. Very difficult with the memory of the past and two friends like Anna and Dyland, false and manipulative.
What can you learn from this story? If you are a very kind person, people take advantage of you and most importantly, you can't love someone on command.
I liked the funny and combative couple of friends, as well as the grandmother version of cupid. Above all I loved the character of Wang Xi Yi, a man who is upright, sensitive and so in love that he wears his wedding ring even after 3 years since he was dumped. A man who channeled his pain by continuing to write the diary, making her plans come true, refusing to sign the divorce papers.
I was moved when he confessed to her that he had also suffered and had hard times and that she wasn't the only one who had pain. She has always been altruistic but in that case she has been 100% selfish.
I was afraid that 36 episodes were a lot but I watched them in just 5 days, I was really addicted to this series.
A small note: I would have avoided putting the image of their wedding under the opening titles, it ruined the surprise.
Then I would have avoided putting Anna among the wedding guests. The way she behaved, a simple "Sorry" was not enough at all compared to the pain she caused. Even if they are good, I don't think I would have forgiven her.
Instead, I found the final scene on the ship to be the right conclusion, like a circle closing.
NB: The Eternal Love (2017) has the same two lead actors. News from August 2024 says that after 7 years they will also get married in real life.
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This review may contain spoilers
Thai revenge drama is a hidden gem
“vengeance that consumes the soul, leaving scars deeper than betrayal 🥀”i was finally able to finish this series after banking it for a long time, despite this drama only having 8 eps it will surely get you hooked.
acting was great, especially the main leads of this story. some parts of the series were really emotional especially the confrontation scenes. idk but it did made me tear up a little.
i’m quite unsure if the ending has left me satisfied but i don’t really understand why did they kill the main lead? 🙁so it’s not really a happy ending. thicha did have her revenge but at what cost? a cost of the life of someone she truly loves. and the fact that she’s pregnant??? though i’m still trying to grasp the writers intention but anyways..
this series is loosely based on real life events, it’s quite an eye opener of what’s happening in other countries
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This review may contain spoilers
A Boss, A Babe...
...and my sanity.I can't even begin to tell you what I just watched. Because I still don't know. I understand that BLs are mostly meant for mindless watching and serotonin boosts when your fave onscreen couple so much as glance at one another. HOWEVER, this show was just plain bad. I watched it because my gf and I like ForceBook (she LOVES and I can't stress this enough, LOVES Book, and I like Force so we thought, why not give this one a shot). Little did I know that I was about to watch 12 episodes of Book bringing Force coffee. So let's break it down shall we?
Story/Plot:
There is none. Next.
.
.
.
I kid, but in all seriousness there is no real plot. I gave the story rating of 2 stars because we started out strong. They are developing a game and then their idea gets stolen by a former employer but then nothing came of it? They kind of forgot this main plot line like halfway through the series and then never really touched on it again. The former employer got in trouble I guess and they managed to get their idea back but like...then what? So now we are just riding on the back of cute moments between Cher (Book) and Gun (Force)? And then there's the 3 other sub plots that were thrown on the wall like boiled spaghetti hoping one would stick. It felt like these GMMTV writers were in the writers room just throwing ideas out there instead of sticking to one and really fleshing it out completely. For example, the plot of Gun and Time's (Drake) relationship was never fleshed out. Why was there a fallout? Why did Time leave? Was it a difference of opinions? Was it money? Was it ideas? I have so many questions. Then there was the story about the "little brother" Thup (Java) who was honestly a pain in my a**. Bro I understand you are upset but you are channeling that anger into the wrong person my guy. But his little subplot of constantly asking for money (which we never really see why he is asking for it or how he uses it...we assume its for shady business) then getting arrested for drug charges (f**k around and find out I guess) was made into a huge deal, so huge that it almost broke Gun and Cher up...you would think that they (the writers) would elaborate on this scandal...do they? No. They don't. We hear nothing about it for the rest of the series. All you see in the last episode is Thup out of jail assumed clear of all charges (convenient). And the subplot that really grinds my gears....mainly because it deserved so much more time and respect was the tragic story of Cher's friend Thian (Lookjun). I am writing this right now to the writer's of GMMTV...you mean to tell me that you are going to include a storyline about s*xual assault and sui***e of a young girl and just breeze right past that? When Thup told Cher about what actually happened to his sister, Cher showed his concern and asked if an arrest can be made and then IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN. The f**k??? Justice for Thian. That was brutal.
Acting/Cast:
The cast did what they could with this weak a** script. However, shining through the cracks like a beacon of light was the chemistry between ForceBook. I appreciated ForceBook's cute moments. If anything that was the highlight in this entire God forsaken series. If there is anything Book knows how to do, it's act cute. In the words of my gf, he is the cutest patootie. And Force plays a brooding CEO well. They were cliche stereotypes but it was cute so acceptable. The supporting cast was also great, my favorite being the pairing of ThiZo (Fluke and Ohm)...they were adorable. Also, shout out to the ladies on their team in the office, especially Oi (Namyard) she was hilarious.
Music:
Meh. In my humble opinion...Book can't carry a tune. He's so off pitch it makes me want to go and put on ear muffs as the opening credits roll. Tell me how that OST was my gf's most listened to song last month. She's blinded by love that one.
So, in conclusion, would I rewatch this? No. haha. Not in the absolute slightest. But I would recommend this series if you enjoy:
-ForceBook
-coffee
-gaming
-ASMR
-being nosy about your coworker's love life
-family drama
-fluff, lots of fluff
-no real plot
If you are a fan of any of the above, or a fan of turning off your brain and just enjoying fluff content, then this one is for you. But if you are looking for something with a bit more plot and grit, do yourself a favor, save yourself a life, and find something else to watch.
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Outstanding adaptation! Worth the watch!
Although I started watching this drama for my favourite guest and support actors, surprisingly I was entranced by many brilliant and talented actors/actresses especially the ML ZYL and the FL LSS. Even though I knew the major plot and the ending for this drama, it didn't deter me from finishing this wonderfully executed and very captivating drama.All the characters were portrayed impeccably well by the actors. Theirs elaborate appearances added fine details to their characters. Deep emotions, passion, feelings were displayed immaculatelly and their stories unfolded magnificently well, leading the events and results to the point where everything is set perfectly for the season 3.
I adored the beautiful and elegant clothes and make up of the actors and actresses. The backgrounds and settings were very suitable to scenes and events. Unique architectures magnified the effectiveness of making each setting different and enjoyable experience.
I loved different kinds of couples and their interactions. All the couples have different stories to show and their own undeniable and captivating charm. Each couple had great chemistry. The types of romances shown were very beautiful and engaging: like HZ and HYs romance of push and pull due to their identity and responsibility, different ways of doing things, Spider king BMY's protectivness and selfless acts of care for DNJ and his people, YY and MXW's story of Romeo and Juliet where family interfered and made things difficult for them, the confusing love between MM and the leech demon CML's with two personalities, YYT and WZ being childhood sweethearts, the dark unconditional love with no boundaries between JH and JL, the kind/forgiving love between DCR and JJX knowing the motive they got together, the QMY's unwavering persueing of love and relationship with ZZ and finally, LQZ's cute and hesitant unrequited love for DQL. Although they were all different kind of romances they have one thing in common they loved the other deeply selflessly enough to be ready to sacrifice anything even their lives to protect and save their significant others. Being able to do this is a testament to the real and true love.
Aside from love stories, I was also impressed by heart warming and sweet sibling and parent/children relationships.
This drama taught many lessons. Love and life is not bed of roses. Most people face ups and downs with their loved ones. More so if their world is plagued with societal injustice and chaos. Furthermore, life is even more difficult for people with conscience and power who take their responsibilities and duties more seriously putting their personal lives at the bottom of priority list. Mostly prosperity and peace in different places around the world is achieved by sacrifices of their great heroes/heroines.
Their are always people who commit evil deeds and justify them due to their greed, obssestions, love for fame, power and/or glory and have to be fought to stop them. Without love, kindness, loyalty, trust, sacrifice, strong positive familial bonds and establishment of justice and order world would be very dark place. Those who are left behind of course have to learn to deal with grief and regrets but important thing is never to give up and respect their sacrifices and work for the better future and even if there is uncertainty there will be good change when righteous path is persued.
The CGI and cenimatrography of this drama was mind-blowing. The attention to detail, photorealism, seamless integrations, lighting and texturing not only gave a compelling visual experience, it also effectively communicated the sub stories and emotions. Thus, successfully engaging the viewers and leaving an everlasting impression.
I loved the beautiful and exquisite OST's which are very heartwarming, thought provoking and emotion stirring.
Overall it is very excellent fantasy drama adopted from manhwa. I highly recommend it to romance/fantasy lovers. 💕 Definetly looking forward to the season 3 'Sword and Beloved'💖
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Amazing, A Must Watch!
I think the most pitiful person in this story is Jiang Ci. She is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. She has numerous chances to gain her freedom right in front of her, but she constantly turns back just to save those who are dear to her. She is always one of Xie Che's victims but she never realizes it until latter part in the story. She has every right to exert revenge as Wei Zhao, but even that sense of revenge is denied from her for all her life.If you think about it, the characters' backstory is amazing. I love how Wei Zhao/Xiao Wuxia is neither Liang nor Wei, while Jiang Ci is both Liang and Wei. Just like Yueluo that is trapped between both countries, Jiang Ci is constantly trapped between both male leads who are similarly smart, cunning and manipulative.
Had Pei Yan not have mommy issues and such twisted idea of love (which he realized too late), I would swooned over him so hard I wouldn't even think of Wei Zhao. Unfortunately, no one is perfect, huh. Sadly both male leads carried to much baggage to properly love and care for Jiang Ci. Wei Zhao with his identity as Xiao Wuxia and his mission to get a revenge on his family's killer, Pei Yan with his sense of responsibility towards his clan and his ambition to bring his clan to even higher grounds.
This story is laced with layers of personal grudges, conflicts, and missions of each character, and Jiang Ci is truly the only character who doesn't really have any motive or mission. She is simply trapped in the whirlpool of palace politics and schemes, and unfortunately got splashed by the sewer water called Liang State. Thus, the most miserable character of all. Thus, heed your elders' advice kids. If they warn you not to go down the mountains, do not do it. Otherwise, Jiang Ci could've lived happily ever after with her Master in bliss of ignorance.
I love how this story revolves around parental love and attention as the main plot point. Pei Yan becomes like this because he has received no love from his Rong Yudie. Xie Che becomes like this because his father, the former emperor, favored Xie Chun/Qi Wang more than him. Something small that triggered a domino effect of misery for all its characters. Thus I think the real villain of this story is the former emperor. Had he not have favorite son, Xie Che wouldn't have inferiority complex that fueled his greed and abandoned Rong Yudie and who knows, maybe Xie Che would've married her and Pei Yan became the crown prince. Rong Yudie then wouldn't have such greed and hatred that led her to abandon Pei Yan, and Pei Yan wouldn't have such twisted view of love that tried to chain Jiang Ci. Jiang Ci's father wouldn't have died and she could be the catalyst of peace between Liang and Wei. Her aunt/master wouldn't have died. She could've had a happy family. Xiao Haitian wouldn't have died and Xiao Wuxia wouldn't have had to infiltrate the palace under the identity of 'Wei Zhao'. None of the characters would've met too. Maybe this is the story in another life. Another side of Love of Nirvana.
Another thing I want to praise from this drama is its cinematography. It's just beautifully shot, the scenes are breathtaking! The color grading is also amazing and eye-pleasing. Unfortunately I think the budget for their clothing is limited and makes me feel bored of their same clothes for episodes. Jiang Ci and Pei Yan's closure scene where both finally eat their mutton noodle is really sad and sweet at the same time.
The ending is just too cruel for Wei Zhao / Xiao Wuxia. His death is heartbreaking, that not even his remains are intact. The scene where Jiang Ci is taking what could've been his hair is heart-wrenching. The ending somehow leaves a really bittersweet aftertaste. It's sad that no one will ever know the true details of the death of Prince Qi, as the fact is dead with both the Emperor and Wei Zhao.
I personally think he may have a chance of survival in the end. But he didn't fight for it or ran to the door. I think deep down, Wei Zhao is eaten away with guilt and exhaustion that not even his love for Jiang Ci could save him. He just simply tired of fighting for his life. I think at the last moments he just.. kinda gave up. And I totally understand his reasoning, tracing back his miserable life and fate.
Overall, it's been an amazing drama and I love every second of it. I adore each character, and I love the plotting and scheming.
P.S. I love how An Cheng has calmly accompanied Pei Yan through his delulu puberty self.
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This Drama Was So Good, I Can't Watch It Again.
I didn’t expect much when I started this drama. This one completely caught me off guard in the most beautiful way. It slowly pulled me in, and before I knew it, I was deeply attached to the story, the characters, and every quiet, emotional moment it delivered. This is just pure life drama. It doesn't rely on dramatic plot twists or big reveals. It just reflects real life in the most tender and painful way. Never cried this hard over just a drama.I have no negative comment or opinion about this drama. It’s very well written, the cast delivered heartfelt performances, and the score (music) tied everything together beautifully. Every scene felt purposeful, and nothing was overdone.
It’s warm, heartbreaking, and relatable!! And honestly, I wouldn't rewatch it. Not because it's lacking, but because the first watch was too good. It's the kind of story that hits the hardest when it's fresh, when you don't see it coming. Rewatching might dull the emotional blow, and I'd rather keep that perfect first experience intact.
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Nostalgia for Xian Xia Lover
Story: This is xian xia story that I really love to watch. The plot is fast paced and almost no stopping. Although I dislike love triangle trope, but in this drama, the love triangle is not messing the romance. I even like the 2nd male lead. At first the scope of the story is not so vast, it just getting more vast after each lead characters got their memory of their past life back. With the scope getting more vast, there are many philosophical dialogs between characters which make this drama more complex than other xianxia drama. The negative side is I don't really care for the side characters. Luckily their portions are not too much.Acting: I don't think the acting of every characters is the strength of this drama. Not even one I can categorize as the most outstanding character. But their visuals are very suitable for every character. Vin Zhang played the good and bad person so well as I have ever seen him in his old dramas with many kind of characters. Sun Zhennie also suitable as her character is a cunning and witty person. Wang Yang's visual and vibe is god-like, cold, floating and emotionless. And their costumes are stunning, though tend to exaggerating.
Overall: I was enjoying the experience of watching this drama, feeling nostalgic because of Vin Zhang as I first watch him in Chinese drama also in xianxia genre. I like him a lot then and I still like him now. This kind of xianxia story is not particularly fresh formula, but bringing nostalgia for xianxia fans after lacking good xianxia drama in many years is an excellent entertainment we craved for.
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Greatly redeemed the franchise...
First of all, I came to this drama with little to no expectations after the debacle of first installment: Red Moon Pact. This one thankfully made up for it in a way that it gives me confidence and hope for the last one. Plus this show introduced me to actor Zhang Yun Long whom, I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of before...I even dismissed him when he was first announced as the ML *shame on me* and thought he would be a miscast and a bore to watch (never judge a book by its cover haha) Anyway, skills have done the talking and I'm glad to say that from now on, I'll be looking forward to his next works (man is underrated and deserves more lead roles)Acting is top-notch, chemistry between the cast is harmonious and very natural making easier for the audience to bond with each character (something RMP failed to do miserably imo) The more you feel for those characters, the more you dread their impending deaths. Camaraderie is one of the strong point of this drama. It was heartwarming but also heartbreaking following their adventures and their fight against fate. Though it was a losing game, they still put their all to defeat that cunning enemy. They clearly underestimated their opponent. Was it foolish? Very much but that's what youth is all about after all...recklessness and cockiness. They learned it the hard way, paying a huge price with the loss of their lives. Masked group got almost entirely annihilated leaving our hero and Qu Zhou the only survivors of the pack , utterly consumed with guilt and grief. No wonder he is this cold and jaded in 'Sword and Beloved' ... Man is broken.
I don't know what exactly people were expecting...that sad ending didn't come as a surprise at all since it was foreshadowed in the 'future' (Sky City arc) and told as a backstory in RMP. The only thing that changed in that timeline: Wangquan Hong Ye is alive.
Another good point is that villains were more compelling and charismatic than in RMP. Black Fox and Lord Jiu Huo were riveting and badass. I even felt bad for Jiu Huo on how he was still clinging to his past love, Jia Lan, still believing he could revive her only to find out he was manipulated all along by Black Fox who impersonated his loved one just to use him for her own agenda. Black Fox is a manipulative and sadistic villain, feeding on humans' weaknesses such as love, fears, guilt etc... a really powerful and formidable villain.
I know many felt that main couple was boring but I beg to differ...their love was poetic, mature and unconditional but unfortunately bound to end tragically. That last straw (the loss of his beloved wife, Huaizhu) hardened our ML's heart beyond repair and allow us to have a better understanding of his character in the sequel 'Sword and Beloved'
Like I said in another post, plot is tighter than first installment and less confusing. Editing was also better.
Some loose ends here and there but nothing detrimental. Mu Mie/Leech demon's arc was probably my biggest gripe, they didn't have any satisfying closure imo. They just go their separate ways and forget each other? I was so invested in their cute lovestory for what? I didn't buy into that dual personality/different person bullshit. Him loving Red eyes more wasn't convincing at all. Such a cop out *sigh*
Qin Lan was also forgotten in the end...as a main character, you didn't even bother/care to explain what happened to her or whether she was still alive after jumping from this cliff (ok, no one dies from those cliffs🤣 and because I watched first part, I knew she survived but still🙄)...fortunately some kind souls posted that special clip of her being rescued by her future husband and that beautiful convo she had with her son Yue Chu (Red Moon Pact's ML) Don't tell me they couldn't include that clip into the main drama? 🙄
OST was beautiful, poetic but also catching. It will probably be on repeat mode for most of my 2025 (special mention to Zhang Yun Long's song 'Bamboo Night' which he personally wrote/composed/sang *mad respect*)
Cinematography was stunning, CGI was good enough imo and costumes/makeup/wigs were fabulous (Leech demon and Snake demon Hong Ye's makeup have my heart *so pretty*)
Rewatch value is good and I highly recommend to give it a chance. Don't be deterred by first part which was confusing and far from being a good introduction to the Fox Spirit's world.
I would even recommend you to watch this one first (since it's a prequel) and follow suit with Red Moon Pact...who knows? You may enjoy it better this way in the end.
After completing and tremendously enjoyed 'Love in Pavilion', I'm even more pumped up to watch the finale. Third part promised to be even better! (already watched the trailers and it looks insane!)+ Cheng Yi/Li Yi Tong as leads is more than enough to lure me in💯
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Painfully Beautiful
I honestly don’t get why My Extraordinary has such low ratings. Maybe it’s because some viewers didn’t fully understand the intent of the story, or maybe they just don’t like sad endings, which I totally get. But for me, even though it was heavy at times, I found this series incredibly moving and touching.The love story between Ken and Shake was so pure and emotional. It’s sad that their relationship didn’t get to fully bloom because of the accident, but I really appreciated how they got to bond and understand their feelings before that happened. That made everything hit harder in the end.
Now, I have to mention that Sandee’s character (Ken's friend) really frustrated me. No one, and I mean no one, has the right to out someone, especially if they’re not ready. That moment felt so violating.
Despite that, I found myself so invested in the story, especially the final episodes. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you're expecting a light, feel-good BL, but if you’re looking for something emotional, real, and heartfelt, My Extraordinary is definitely worth watching.
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Is It Good? Not Really. Did I Enjoy It? Absolutely.
Rainbow Prince is one of those BL series I wanted to dislike… but embarrassingly, I just couldn’t. 😅 As much as some scenes made me go, “What is even happening right now?” I still found myself enjoying it way more than I expected. Yes, some parts are totally nonsense (LOL), but that’s kind of the charm, right?If you're looking for a funny, feel-good BL series that doesn't take itself too seriously, this might just be your thing. It’s definitely not one of those super deep or emotionally intense shows, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect when you just want to chill and laugh.
What really stood out to me was the musical aspect of the show. It’s pretty rare to see a BL series mix in musical numbers, and I actually really enjoyed that part, it added a unique and whimsical vibe.
Story-wise? Okay, not the strongest. But what it lacks in plot, it makes up for in visuals and production quality. The cinematography is actually impressive, the colors are vibrant, everything looks super polished, and it clearly had some effort behind the scenes.
And let’s talk about the leads, the chemistry is on point! Even with all the silliness, their connection felt real and made the show more enjoyable to watch.
So yeah, Rainbow Prince isn’t perfect, but it’s absolutely hilarious and surprisingly entertaining. If you're in the mood for something light, weirdly charming, and totally extra, give it a shot. I won’t judge because I already watched the whole thing. 😆
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Overall good one - Only drawback is the scale of drama
The story was awesome, slow burn into story. Background score was good. Acting was good. the only thing I feel the show was a downgrade was the taking of series. If it was done in a little more dramatic visual way, this would have been really good one. It might feel like a sloppy story to some as they are not used to slow story build ups. But this has a really good perspective oriented screen writing, giving us all kinds of understanding of characters and their thoughts and ideologies.Overall good one - Only drawback is the scale of drama
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Why Gaya sa Pelikula Is Totally Worth the Hype
Gaya sa Pelikula totally lives up to the hype! As someone who’s a sucker for enemies to lovers stories, this one hit all the right notes. But what really makes it stand out is how real and relatable it is.At its core, it’s a story about self-discovery and identity. Karl's journey through an identity crisis felt incredibly honest and personal, something a lot of us can relate to, especially in a society like the Philippines, where the LGBTQ+ community is often just tolerated rather than fully accepted. It’s not just a BL series, it’s a coming-of-age story that tackles coming out with depth and sensitivity.
Although it is deep, it’s still a romantic comedy, and that’s one of the reasons I loved it so much. I’ve always had a soft spot for romcoms, and this one got the balance just right. The humor feels natural, and I especially loved Vlad's sister, she’s hilarious, but not over the top or cringeworthy at all. Her character added so much charm without taking away from the emotional weight of the story.
The chemistry between the leads is absolutely amazing. Every scene between them felt genuine and engaging. You can tell the direction was top-tier, which makes sense because it’s the same director behind the Marahuyo Project. That quality really shows in the storytelling, visuals, and pacing.
Even though it’s an easy watch, Gaya sa Pelikula is deep, meaningful, and never feels like it’s dragging. There’s no filler, everything has a purpose, and it’s all delivered in such a heartfelt way.
Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for something romantic, funny, and deeply moving. It’s not just a love story, it’s a reflection of real struggles, identity, and finding acceptance in your own skin. Definitely worth watching!
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Love, sacrifice and magic. Prepare for c-trauma heartbreak.
This is 10000 times better than Red Moon Pact. I admit, the early episodes are very weak and I almost dropped the drama, wondering if the stellar cast is enough to keep me going, until I reached episodes 8-10 when I was suddenly hooked till the very last episode.The main focus of the drama is the love stories between many different types of characters and their fight against the evil Black Fox. At the centre of the drama are the two main characters from prominent families, the female lead who is a strong-willed fighter with special blood and the male lead, a strong leader and number one swordsman.
✨WATCH OR SKIP RED MOON PACT?
I’d say they’ve made this drama pretty much self-contained and I don’t necessarily think you need to watch Red Moon (I personally would never recommend this disastrous drama). But I have to say, Red Moon does establish the world better, such as the conflict between the demons and humans and explains the Dongfang’s special blood. Love in Pavilion kind of throws you into the world without much explanation which may confuse some viewers at the start.
✨PLOT BREAKDOWN
Ep 1-9 Intro arc
Getting to know all the characters and setting up the plot. The weakest part of the drama for me.
Ep 10-18 Time Travel / Demon arc - my favourite.
Time travel / female lead as a demon / sexy villain / Black Fox’s backstory. Basically, lots of sexiness and fun angst.
Ep 19-28 Beast Realm arc
Mostly heartwarming, romantic and fun. Ding Yuxi stole the spotlight here. I think I loved it just as much as the demon arc.
Ep 29-36 Tushan / Grief Tree arc
The final showdown, emotional and very angsty. Prepare for c-trauma. Raw and well-written ending.
✨POSITIVE:
- Lots and lots of romance. From friendship, unconditional love, meet-cute scenes, sacrifice, yearning, heartbreak, it delivered all.
- Character driven. It’s rare but I liked all the characters and I think that’s the main reason why I enjoyed this drama so much.
- Great chemistry between all the couples. It’s rare but I enjoyed all the couples. The main leads in particular were my favourite and they suited each other really well.
- Fantastic villains. A good story needs captivating villains and this drama definitely delivered on that.
- No love triangles, misunderstanding or typical annoying immortals.
- Engaging story after episode 8 til the end.
- Great fight scenes with different weapons and magic. The boss fights were always intense to watch, they went all out.
- Unexpected spice - I’m looking at episode 13, that's one of the most spiciest scenes in xianxia.
- Marvelous BGM (background music) that elevated the scenes, especially the fights.
- Well-written ending that wrapped the story well. It was real, raw and very emotional. I cried buckets of tears.
✨NEGATIVE:
- Weak start. As mentioned above, I almost dropped the drama because of how boring the beginning was. But after episode 8 till the end it truly captivated me.
- Decent CGI but unfortunately not on the same level as Red Moon Pact, which is a shame.
- Plot flaws. The story is told fast with many things happening which sometimes means details are not delved deeper and certain parts may feel rushed.
- C-trauma. This drama delivers on the ultimate heartbreak which can be too much for some people.
✨OVERALL:
Like everyone else, I had very low expectations going into this drama. The previous installment Red Moon Pact set the bar very low. Still, does this drama have its flaws? Yes, of course. But in terms of plot, characters and romance, it’s miles and miles and miles better than RMP. In fact, having watched both, I can say Red Moon feels very much useless, as Love in the Pavilion directly sets up the story for the final chapter Sword and Beloved.
Aside from the weak start, after episode 8, this drama captivated me till the end. It’s very character and romance driven so if that’s your thing, you will enjoy this. The plot felt different from the typical cliche xianxia with annoying misunderstandings, love triangles and stupid immortals. You have none of these things here. The plot is fast with many things happening. There were lots of unexpected twists and turns that kept me watching. The main cp was strong and the side couples enchanted the story for me. It’s rare but I loved all the couples and characters, especially the villain duo.
The cast did a stellar performance. The highlight for me was Ding Yuxi, as he totally captivated the screen and his character’s story was just as strong as his chemistry with his romantic pair. A special mention to the main lead, Zhang Yun Long. It was my first time seeing him and he was marvellous. Actually, in January, I watched the variety show ‘Random Tour’ where he opened up how he has been in the industry for a long time but never given the chance to star in a high production, and that LIP was finally his opportunity. I can only hope it’s not too late for him to receive more amazing projects. He deserves it.
Conclusion, if you want lots of romance, magic, fast plot and are prepared for c-trauma heartbreak, try this out.
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✨COUPLES / ACTORS PAIRS
💗Liu Shi Shi & Zhang Yun Long (main cp / frenemies to lover / fighters duo / hands down my favourite ship)
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fa/e3/0e/fae30e7c86a1025d21d4d3917f1c64cd.jpg
💗Wu Xuan Yi & Zhai Xiao Wen (second cp / childhood friends to lovers / carefree girl and her protector / adorable)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqI1HpTWAAAVIUe?format=jpg&name=large
💗Ding Yu Xi & Meng Zi Yi (side cp / school friends to lovers / confident girl and her tsundere crush / my second favourites, their chemistry was effortless / ep 20-32 )
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqRs5AXWwAE6w74?format=jpg&name=medium
💗Charles Lin & Peng Xiao Ran (side cp / best villain couple that stole my heart / ep 27 + more)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqjI9UObcAAg-uZ?format=jpg&name=large
💗Qin Xiao Xuan & Zhou Jie Qiong (side cp / feisty demon with split personality and shy human / loved them / ep 12-17 )
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d4/82/16/d48216ecf5bce428d9a5048cb7ef0347.jpg
💗Zhang Ruo Nan & Chen Ruo Xuan (side cp / marriage / emotional but not as strong as the others / ep 2-8 )
Poster: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/60/00/f6/6000f6e8c355cdf24bbfe018f9ebd9b1.jpg
💗Hou Ming Hao & Chen Yu Qi (side cp / demon couple / too short to make an impact / ep 1)
Poster: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpsexlqaAAArC6x?format=jpg&name=large
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Now, talking about the story:
- Plot: A classic enemies-to-lovers high school romance with heavy themes of social hierarchy, self-worth, traumas, found family, discrimination, redemption and the list goes on...the show balances comedy, drama, and romance without jarring tonal shifts. It has that familiar Wattpad charm but with more structure, but I shall give you a warning, it can be cringy at times. As I already said, the subplots are nice, many characters receive attention, even though some of section e are kinda forgotten...still, we can't complain, there's a lot of them. As a Wattpad-originated romcom, certain tropes (rich boy, bullied class, transfer student) are cliché, but they're not without meaning, so it's not exactly a flaw, just predictable at times.
- Pacing: As I said, the series mirrors the novel’s episodic storytelling, which appeals to fans. Each episode often ends on a outrageous cliffhanger, keeping viewers engaged, similar to how Wattpad chapters are structured. Secondary characters like Mica, Ella, Grace, Percy and the rest of Section E get time to breathe, with their backstories and changes unfolding steadily across episodes, so if you like a story that doesn't neglect the side cast, this is for you. A thing that I wanted to say is that many complain about the unresolved mysteries, but in my opinion it should follow the book's pacing, because let me tell you, everyone's life in this series/novel is MESSY, DRAMATIC, COMPLEX and it's not easy to unravel like some might think, so they did a good job by finishing season one like the first book. Still, there are also some flaws...the first 2–3 episodes compress a lot of exposition, jay-jay’s transfer, introduction to Section E, and initial conflict with Keifer, which I feel like they could’ve used more buildup. The same basically goes for the last 2 episodes, it was way too rushed for me, still, it's not easy to do an adaptation of 127 chapters in 16 episodes, so I can see why they tightened it up.
- Romance: Let's start by the main couple. Keifer and Jay-jay have a nice development, their banter, rivalry, and frequent confrontations build thick romantic tension, so their attraction hides beneath their bickering. The romance obviously doesn't come quickly, which makes the emotional payoff stronger. Their relationship is built through small moments, unspoken concern, acts of protection, and reluctant admiration. Keifer starts out cold and hella prideful but softens over time. His emotional development is tightly linked to his growing affection for Jay-jay. While Jay-jay, who is strong and confident, has her insecurities, especially about fitting in, considering her whole life. Keifer sees sides of her others don’t, and this intimacy deepens their bond. So their romance isn’t just cute, it’s transformative. Keifer becomes a better version of himself through loving Jay-jay, and Jay-jay finds strength in being truly seen and valued. Ashtine and Andres Muhlach (Keifer) have really solid on-screen chemistry, too, it feels really natural to the point I think they're in a relationship in real life haha, they're just THAT good! As for the side couples, what can I say, they aren't any less! They're way more "calm", not too dramatic. One complain is that every single guy in section E (Calix, Denzel, Keifer, Yuri...), in a way or another, used their girls for a specific goal, then regret it because they fall in love with them...I think it's overused but hey, as a book reader, I can't complain since they became cute.
The true question is, how will this look to people who do not read Wattpad or webnovels and only watch TV series? Eh...that's a tough question, to be honest I think most of them would drop it midway (lol) because of the little "cringe" or "cliché" scenes, but here I'd like to clarify something, this was written by a Philippine author, and there the humour works differently, so actually, those scenes aren't cringe for them...they just joke in a different way generally speaking. Season one was more of an introduction to all the complex drama that will come in S2, so they should give it a chance.
So, overall, I'd say this is something anyone could watch, since it explores many topics and isn't just romance oriented. My rating is probably a bit biased because I read the Wattpad version since it released, but seriously, it's not mediocre by any means! A solid 8/10 is fair all things considered, so run to watch it.
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a skip for me
i watched this bc twitter was raving about how this was going to be "my dating sim's son" and i watched it, episode one felt promising i loved the chemistry and acting the actors are great the plot was weak and nothing really held the show together, there was so much back and forth it annoyed me. by the last ep i just hoped they'd breakup. but no they kept going. the last episode really hit the nail on the head felt so extremely rushed and had a wedding scene that felt so incomplete and provided no joy tbh. i hope the actors find better scripts and stories because the chemistry did chemistryWas this review helpful to you?
