Reviews

Action-packed bromance

The best part of Season 1 was the bromance and friendship between the two leads, so I’m really happy that the writers understood that and kept the heart of the show in season 2. The main leads (plus the other people in the gang) continue to stick together and it makes for both really good fight scenes and really heart-warming friendships.

I think the action in this one is better than the first one — the villain feels genuinely intimidating, and the fight scenes feel so much more brutal; huge props to the choreographer and the sound designer in particular. I felt every punch. I do think the emotional motivation for the villain is a little weaker than S1 where we had more backstory; here, the motivation is a little thin. Nevertheless, the actor killed the role.

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Can give it a try if nothing else is interesting to watch

The first episodes were good with the concept of female lead, Xia Xiaolan, time travelling back in times, where she finds herself in a new role alongside a new family, where only her mother is the lone supporter of her, staring against a few challenges, establishing her own career, implementing her business ideas, getting university seat, finding Zhou Cheng, male lead, and rising gradually with the help of her uncle, aunt and mom.
At first, it was quite inspiring, motivating, to see Xiaolan trying to change both her fate and the person's life she has landed herself into.
But as the stroy progressed, it seems that there is nothing Xiaolan can predict, none of her judgement goes wrong and every step she takes is bound to become a huge success..
It has become repetitive and boring.
Though I didn't watch the complete drama, but its a good watch atleast for the first 6-7episode,for me.
I may not reqatch it again, anyways, it is strictly my honest opinion.

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An easy comfortable watch, i.e. good script, good filming, good family drama, lots of good actors

This drama is a breath of fresh air, showing relatively "ordinary" people doing relatively "ordinary" things, it FLOWS easily and effortlessly.... it is an enjoyable watch. The quality of this drama is on par with any miniseries. THE SCRIPT IS WELL PLANNED AND ORGANIZED, SO THE PACING IS CONSISTENT, THE PLOT KEEPS MOVING FORWARD IN MEANINGFUL AND INTERESTING WAYS.

In the Discussion section, ppl say this is an easy watch, bc there are no snags, sufferings, dragging, gore killings, gore scheming, really nasty smart capable villains just mauling stupid naive "good ppl", etc. The script is masterful, keeping consistent pace, with great cliffhangers and twists, and great dialogues and great meaningful scenes. FL is an independent woman with brains and common sense, so the plot just flows forward without snags.

The drama just flows naturally and easily as "ordinary" life in families. Well, some plots involve some major traumas, but nothing in this drama is ridiculous or crazy. That means - good script, good filming, and good acting.

THE RICHNESS OF THE PLOT IS CREATED BY **** MASTERFULLY ACTED **** "SMALL SCENES" from daily life.

There are plenty seasoned great actors in the drama, which makes it interesting to watch. They make the drama seem real, like we are watching real life.
There are many interesting side stories...
The camera and production are great too, visually it is seamless and interesting.
And the music is really fun, really matches the plot
Last but not least, i love the styling in this drama, each character has unique and consistent styling that makes the character more believable.

Overall, highly recommended so far
This is a classy drama on par with any 12 -r 16 ep drama out there.

THE FLOW
==========
This drama is normal and pleasant and comfortable and VERY WELL PACED. There is no dragging whatsoever. There is no filler plot. There is no whiny female characters or overly controlling cold male characters. This drama is NOT sexist and actually provides some excellent role modeling for real life.
This drama is rather EGALITARIAN and very fit for modern life.

The start of the drama is cringe bc it starts "as usual" sexist plot - FL is a naive clutz, ML is poker faced snotty.
However, by ep 9, he becomes alive, and that is when I really got into this drama. meanwhile SML and SFL were really interesting quirky characters and it was fun watching them. The villains too :)

Then we have a period of ML-FL flirting and growing - and SML trying with SFL - which is all HILARIOUS
The scenes ML-FL and SML-SFL and any combo are totally hilarious and well done.

Around the middle of the drama, the leads got together, the blush fell of the rose, "the honeymoon was over", and we got deeper into the dirt of the families. The comedy used to introduce the characters and ML-FL flirting wore off and we got into some major traumas and conflicts that the characters had to resolve. So the drama became more melodramatic and serious, resolving those issues. ML is a snowflake and a weak person and FL helps him.

This is where FL's role was kinda ruined bc she became more or less just a support for the ML to handle his trauma... And SML role was kinda ruined, bc he became a victim of SFL's abuse...

But now it is ep 97 and we are entering into the third phase of the drama, when the dirt is exposed, character flaws are exposed, ... and it is time to clean up.... ....
FL was so "protective" of ML that she turned into a slimey liar :) and is starting to pay for it :)
and SML is turning into a guy who questions the truth of what is told to him... SO HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE INTERESTING GROWTHS FROM THIS

PROFILING OF CHARACTERS:
============================
There are lots of really amazing actors in this drama, who make the drama seem real. Like we are watching real people living their real lives.
There is melodrama, thriller and comedy. My fav is Grandma from the restaurant :) bc she nicely combines all of it :)

The two main villains are just HILARIOUS. Yes they are disgusting but they acted so well, they are comical relief. And - they love each other and are a perfect couple. Those two veteran actors are AMAZING actors.

There was some cringe with FL in early episodes, she was .. hm.. immature... and ML was poker faced snotty snub and that was just boring and ugly...
and luckily, FL dropped the cringe, she turned a very capable woman, and ML starts to be more than just a pokerface around ep 10, and that enlivened the drama a lot.
How those two play off each other is just HILARIOUS. They are a very endearing and fun couple.

ML-FL and SML-SFL and any combo of those 4 interacting is very fun to watch.

SML role was kinda ruined for a while... Seems like the role might recover... ... SML starts as a rather selfish and cruel person at work but in blind love with stone-wall porcelain doll SFL, And that is really fun to watch. She is so stuck and so beautiful and so uptight, she is endearing and comical.
HOWEVER...

Eventually, the SFL shows her fragility and selfishness more and more, and SML keeps pathetically and desperately chasing her.... but... SFL takes him for granted too much and eventually goes overboard, and ... SML starts questioning her!!!!!! I AM HOPING HE GROWS A SPINE

ML actor has a knack for acting friendly scenes, he is very charming and endearing, and FL bounces off him in most hilarious ways' and SML and SFL are acted perfectly. So it is fun to watch

After ML woke up and ditched his poker face around ep 9, FL can act more. FL actress has many facial expressions and really has fun acting off ML, and is great for comedy. I am enjoying watching her bc she is so lively and energetic.

There was soooo much comedy in earlier episodes.... I loved the senior home, bike ride home and the restaurant 4-some scene. The arrows were HILARIOUS :) The bike ride home was HILARIOUS :) (That's why I want to feed ML and send him surfing, he gotta keep up with that strong lady.)

I loved grandma and grandpa in bed. It is nice that Uncle and Aunt also love each other, and have a good bed life too. I like how the drama is showing love in many different ways.

ML is excellent in "friendly" and "cuddly" scenes, that is where he really shines and is super cute and charming. The serious snotty poker face scenes just are NOT for him. Then he is just a scrawny little nothing. The drama should let him go free with displaying good times and affection and humor.

ML is a masterful actor also for very melodramatic scenes, like confrontations in ep 94 were absolutely AMAZING acting. His eyes were flaring fire. The change in the eyes was WOW acting.

I love watching the Grandma next door :) she is fun

THIS DRAMA PROVES THAT RIDICULOUS COMPLICATED PLOT IS NOT NEEDED - SIMPLE IS GOOD
==============================================
This drama is nowhere near Crazyville of dramas with ridiculous actions and plots like First Man or Pearl in Red.
THIS DRAMA USES MASTERFUL ACTING TO SHOW SMALL BUT MEANINGFUL AND FUN SCENES FROM DAILY LIFE.

For example, female villain goes snooping in a room in her friend's house. Friend's son - who is a young and trendy urban fashionista - walks in - and the villain has to somehow excuse herself and leave... The villain is not very smart nor sophisticated ... but is a very colorful character... so she offers a bribe and comments on what he is wearing, shares her passion for French fashion - in broken wrong French - and flirts with him on her way out, while he is totally flabbergasted yet happy to accept the bribe. That ONE SCENE takes maybe ... 5 minutes? But is super highly memorable and made me laugh. Acted so well. With precision.

FASHION NOTES:
===============
In terms of looks, this is a well done drama, everyone is styled perfectly, so it is a PLEASURE to look at them. I love the "perfection" look of SML and her classy outfits, hair and jewelry, and I love the vibrant energetic look, smile and white teeth of SML who just exudes good health, and I love his clothes, looks really good on him,

and today I was studying fashion, ML looks good in light blue shirt and shiny leather jacket.

FL is actually cute and her clothes fit her character. Well some of FL clothing is really grungy enginnering style... But she had some scenes in dresses, or better clothing, esp the living funeral slinky top with a fake collar was AMAZING on her.

The main villans have amazing flashy wardrobe. THe male villain wore pink suits that made him appropriately look like a mafia boss from 1930s from the richest parts of Los Angeles... his lady has amazing luxury sleepware....

Grandpa looks amazing in pale pink traditional clothing.. He also has indigo-color traditional clothing ... which... imo.. needs to be worn by someone younger to really show its beauty.

love the navy vest and blue-gold tie of SML's dad.

YoungerBrother of SFL has amazing trendy urban wardrobe. But out of his multitude of amazing sleek metrosexual clothing... what looks the best on him, a guy with very dark shiny black hair and black eyes - is black and white. He had some amazing "modern version of traditional Asian clothing" open short collar-less pitch black jacket, with baggy pitch black pants, and very white soft t-shirt underneath, showing in the front and peeking from under the jacket for about 20 cm. WOW astonishingly good look! Also, he looked great in a black suit and white shirt and ... some kind of black tie. WOW. So simple but looks the best. Now I understand why Asians like to wear black.

Grandma from the restaurant next door and her boyfriend totally demonstrated the power of clothing... When they get dressed in red and pink, and very youthful outfits, they look so young, they look great!

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UNBEARABLE !!!

Plot: a movie star is the ambassador of a mobile game. Her fans find out that she actually sucks at playing, forcing her into looking for a tutor able to make her look like a pro player.
Fate brings her old highschool crush back into her life as her sensei. Will they rikindle their relationship?
PREMISE🗯️
I really liked the premise of the show. Two ex school mates meeting again after years , living totally different lives. I expected to see two worlds collide and fight to be together in their own way. I waited invane unfortunately..

THE DRAMA🗯️
It seemed that this drama had in mind how to set things in motion but not how to develop them.
After the initial clash, once the main couple gets together the show becomes unbearable to watch.
There is nothing here to watch and enjoy. It is basically episode after episode of two people dating. I kid you not. I dropped this on episode 28 and the last 10ish episodes are literally them dating, hugging, introducing their respective partner to other people.
There is no conflict, no development.
The characters are supposed to life different lives, which they do, but it never brings anything interesting to the screen.
THE CHARACTERS 🗯️🗯️
At the beginning of the show we are introduced to our protagonists.

MALE LEAD🗯️🗯️
I think they did a good job with the male lead.
I loved that they actually showed his work instead of just giving him a title and never show what he actually does. Unfortunately they gave this part "too much* screen time. It wasn't boring to watch, but it wasn't particularly intriguing either. If you don't care about that you'll probably drop out of the drama even before I did.
His is only the characters that has an actual backstory, conflicts and worries.
on the other hand he's also a very boring character and frankly bossy.
I liked his "struggles" but I didn't like his personality. the only thing he was good at was the flirting.
I particularly disliked they way after rejecting the FL, he just came back and became pushy.
He even said things like "my expectations were higher"(meaning he though she would throw her self on him), that in some way he "blamed" her for asking him out when he wasn't ready.
Something about that interaction really rubbed me the wrong way.
You can come and go as you please but she has to immediately fall for you? No thank you.

He is also an asshole to his ex. In one scene we see them talking and he literally says "I expected to date you not expecting to ever reciprocate your feelings". Excuse you?? What does that even mean?
In highschool he rejected our FL saying "I can't date because I want someone that can walk with me all the way" but than he says that to the girl who became his actual girlfriend?

FEMALE LEAD🗯️🗯️
The female lead is adorable. This is my first time seeing dilraba play a joyfull character. I always see her fighting monsters 🤣 she did a good job. Unfortunately, her character is paper thin.
She has no story. All her scenes, expect for the initial tournament, revolve around the ml.
She has no backstory, no struggles, no conflicts. Her being a star plays no roll in her development. There is never an issue with fans, paparazzi, a scandal, beef with actors. She is just a golden retriever without a care in the world.
The only part I really like except her personality , is that fact that when the ml chickens out , she does not wait for him. She is not swayed by his sweet words and actually stands her ground. It was refreshing to see in a romantic drama, where female leads usually give in immediately.

THE EXES🗯️🗯️
At he very beginning of the drama we are introduced to both the ml and FL exes. It looks like they were there to stirr some drama but they actually disappear from the screen the second after they are introduced. Why even bother having them in the cast?

STUFF I DISLIKED🗯️🗯️
❌there are too many flashbacks, especially Flashbacks of scenes we just saw. They literally replay the moment a few seconds after it happened.

❌Too many slow motions scenes. I skipped so many scenes of them just looking into the void and looking sad.

❌the amount of times someone says that the ml is good looking. Oh boy... It was in insane. We are talking about dozen of times. Maybe a hundred.
❌The kisses were bad. Static and lifeless.

❌Nothing happens in the show.


THINGS I LIKED✅✅
Female lead personality. Surface level but cute.

The moving story of the ml collegue and his sickness.


I would recommend this drama only if you like watching couples date (even though they are apart for most of the show).

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ridiculous premise with fantastic execution

Overall: the chemistry was delicious. 10 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6721/fake-fact-lips-2026-e01 (not available in Japan or Korea) and iQIYI https://www.iq.com/album/fake-fact-lips-2026-25iso5j3aap?lang=en_us

What I Liked
- chemistry
- asked if he was okay after in episode 1
- it seemed in the flashback that both of them were the winner instead of always one being the winner (this equal dynamic plays out in the present as well)
- in episode 3 they explained the motivations for each in the past and had a nice conversation, continued to have good communication
- intimacy felt realistic (there wasn't giant space between their bodies, their hands were on the other person instead of at their side that we sometimes see)
- they avoided the common JBL pitfall when the characters talk and get together in the last 5 minutes of the final episode

Room For Improvement
- felt pretty nonsense how things escalated
- love rival with terrible unrealistic hair (at least he wasn't as cliche as others)
- wide shots of kisses
- several scenes were too dark

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Mostly an advertisement for Bandai's toys

Ultraman Omega is a standalone member of the Ultra Series which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the original Ultraman by doing this alternative reboot of the original story. In this version, Ultraman falls to earth in the form of an amnesiac human who is found by the protagonist Kosei who quickly gives him the name Sorato. Seemingly coincidentally huge kaiju have started to become active again after millennia of dormancy, and Sorato and Kosei work together to fight them, and soon the team is joined by the biologist Ayumu who holds and maintains the one brain cell that is shared by the trio.

As is appropriate for a very young audience, the series is HIGHLY repetitious. In each episode, a kaiju will emerge somewhere near the trio who then investigate. Soon Sorato will decide to become Ultraman using his "Omega Slugger", and will battle the kaiju for a bit, but will learn he needs help at which point Kosei will grab one of three toys, I mean, "Meteor Kaiju" from his bag an point it towards the sky at which point it becomes the same size and joins the melee. But that gambit usually fails too, and Kosei will then tell the toy to transform into a weapon for Ultraman Omega, and the battle will then be won.

The acting is perfectly fine for the genre. Yoshida Haruto overacts as directed throughout the series, but has a nice moment or two in the final episodes. Kondo Shori is appropriately handsome and gregarious as Sorato who is discovering what life is like for humans. He gets to show a bit more range as the series reaches its climax. Ayumu (Kudo Ayano) has nothing much to do during the battle sequences, but is only damselled once and even in that episode retains much of her agency. She largely becomes the liaison with the governmental forces that are martialed to defend against the kaiju.

The series is perfectly safe and probably enjoyable for kids. The time that is left for any plot outside of the battle sequences and the required "hey, kids, look what these cool toys do" moments is pretty minimal, but the principal cast has a good convivial chemistry. It's a good light watch.

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This One Will Live Rent Free In My Head And Heart

I finished my watch of the extraordinary 2023 drama My Dearest last night and have already started my first rewatch. It might be my favorite Korean drama of all time...definitely in my top 5 for sure...GOD I truly loved every moment of it.

The direction and cinematography for My Dearest was incredibly beautiful, thoughtful and at times shockingly raw. We were not spared the ugly details of what war looks like, there were no soft filters when the cast cried ugly tears and makeup did nothing to disguise what one would look like after weeks of no sleep, no bathing and no water.

Each of the main character’s stories and many of the support character’s too had so much depth and were written so well, with flaws and strengths just like all of us, that I found it easy to identify with many of them. And kudos for how thoroughly researched and beautifully described the deeply complex and bleak historical events of Joseon Korean were in My Dearest. Often when I watch historical dramas I am so lost I end up watching with an encyclopedia next to me (or Google 😉) to help with my confusion… My Dearest never frustrated me that way.

Ahn Gun Jin as Gil Chae (the FL) portrays an irresistible charismatic, flirty and spirited girl and it's that tenacious spirit that holds her and so many others in this drama in good stead. Ahn Gun Jin plays Gil Chae to utter perfection, and in turn we are treated to an amazing character...you love her and you hate her and you'll get frustrated with her, but in the end she is simply marvelous!
Namkoong Min as the indomitable Jang Hyeon absolutely creates his character. He is one of those actors who can basically leave all his acting to his face…the subtle movements of his eyes and his mouth covey eloquently his intentions, and the way he speaks, especially to Gil will have you melting in your seat…he. is. magic. He moves his face, his hands and his body and speaks his words with an almost poetic grace, and when he cups Gil’s face….well….suffice to say, the lead's chemistry was really beyond perfect.

I am not going to write about every character as this would be a tome…but suffice to say there really isn’t a weak character in this cast and thanks to some amazing writing they all get to truly shine in their parts. But I will call out two who, I feel, you can not help but be so invested in throughout My Dearest: Kim Yoon Woo as Ryang Rum will break your heart, and Choi Mu Sung as Yang Chun is truly an endearing bear of a man. I felt emotions linked to almost every character in this drama, and for many of them, many different emotions…they were so well written and complex.
Some have compared this drama's main and secondary couples to Gone With The Wind’s two main couples and it is easy to see...The FL, Gil Chae is Scarlett, wild, fierce and strong...the ML, Jang Hyeon is Rhett, handsome with a devil may care face that hides an intense and passionate man underneath. The second male lead Yeon Jun is the Ashley of GWTW...he owns Gil's childlike adoration as the story begins but we figure out early on that he is absolutely no match for her...lolz...and Gil's best friend, Eun Ae is like Melanie in GWTW, a sweet, quietly resolute and strong young woman. I loved watching their stories separately and together unfold in My Dearest.

And I can not finish this review without a nod to this gorgeous musical score, which is so integral to this drama...truly the soul of My Dearest.
The whole ost is perfect but there are 3 pieces of music I found interesting called Afternoon Lady I, II and III. In my own head I could easily have called these pieces: Gil’s Story. For myself when I listen to the three, each of these three songs take me chronologically through Gil’s maturing into the spectacular woman she becomes from the depth she gains as a human being experiencing the ordeals of war and hardship. We begin with a free-spirited young happy go lucky girl (that's Afternoon Lady I) to a maturing young woman dealing with the deeply emotional traumas life can deal us with a touch of wistfulness for her lost carefree days (that’s Afternoon Lady II) and finally into a full blown truly awesome woman who’d faced trials that crippled others yet gave her strength and depth (and that’s Afternoon Lady III)…gorgeous music… And also must say the two themes With My Heart and My Dearest just make me cry when I listen to them…they bring all the emotions of this truly touching drama back to me…

I rode a roller coaster of emotions with My Dearest and I am beyond satisfied that I finally watched this amazing piece of work.
It is truly a drama I wish I could watch for the first time over and over again…

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Gak perlu 16 episod si

Jujur aja kayaknya stay nonton ini krn diawal ada cameo Kim Youngkwang, actingnya membekas dan untungnya Sungjae bisa meranin mirip dia bgt for the rest of episodes, cocok bgt Sungjae meranin beginian. Masalahnya ada di Bona, awalnya keliatan oke tapi pas pertengahan ke akhir kok merasa dia eskpresinya jd berkurang ye 😭 mukanya kayak ngang ngong dan bolot aja gt. Sebenernya kurangnya drama ini juga sih, kok kayak bolot semua gt, reaksinya lambat, adegan berantemnya awkward, gak berdamage banget, pemeran utama cewenya kayak lambat reaksinya, begitu pula lakinye. Ceritanya sederhana tp dipanjangin 16 episod buat apa ye, fun to watch aja tho. Imuginya jg ga powerful malah hmpir sm kyk manusiya ya 🥲kissing scenenya jg astaga jelek bgt heran.. ya intinya fun to watch tp agak gak ada sensasi PEAK nya gt, eskalasi problemnya kurang dar der dor, tp apresiasi sm fresh idea ceritanya

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Needed a better Female Lead

First and foremost—someone either needs to get Jisoo into some serious acting lessons, or directors need to stop handing her roles like they’re party favors. The facial expressions? Missing. The emotional depth? On vacation. Sorry… not sorry.

The storyline actually had potential with its futuristic dating concept, but it never quite committed. The cameos were nice little pieces of eye candy, but added about as much substance as a decorative pillow—cute, but not useful. The early episodes spent way too long on short, forgettable dating escapades, leaving the main leads with zero room to develop anything resembling chemistry. Watching them fall in love felt less like romance and more like two AI bots buffering.
And the male lead? Equally robotic. Honestly, I’ve seen more emotional range in a loading screen. The side characters tried, but even they couldn’t rescue this sinking ship. The music was… fine.

I powered through all 10 episodes purely out of curiosity and mild stubbornness.

It’s a shame, really. With stronger leads and tighter pacing, this could’ve been a fresh, fun drama. Instead, it just felt like wasted potential wrapped in pretty visuals.

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Amazing plot twists and suspense

(Minor spoiler ahead)
I never knew I enjoyed mystery thrillers until I found this and Sunsets Secrets Regrets ( maybe ppl who enjoy more * legit intense/ serious mystery thrillers may disagree with me but I'm a newbie to this genre so bear with me). Although SSR was marketed as more of a psychological thriller, I think this one is the same, with all the mind games, lies, and manipulations.

The story was very captivating. Because I'm usually not drawn to this kind of genre, even if it's played by my fav actors I won't normally watch it, the more so I was surprised by me actually enjoying it so much. Jing Boran as Fei Ke/ Li Zerui was just amazing. I'm starting to think he does these a lil bit psychotic/ manipulative roles the best lol. For He Shan, at first I thought for a person who was also blindly invited to the will reading, she seemed too composed and it's as if she was directing them to get more information which seemed a bit unrealistic to me, but after I found out the reason why it makes so much sense. All the other characters also pull off their roles so well. After all of them were exposed as liars too, big big plot twist, the suspense was just too good. It made me think they're going to turn the tide on opinion on Fei Ke's schemes, making it almost seem as if it wasn't his fault they got scammed. And at the end, the truth about the heiress and her secret lover kinda made me a bit sad too.

All in all, this was a very pleasing brain stimulating watch personally. Because it's only 10 eps, they didn't explore some aspects as more in depth as I would have liked, but then maybe it's due to the embedded plot twists and lies that it had to be like this, secretive and unexplained at first. Pleaseeee everyone have to try watching this even if they're not into this genre. It has become another fav of mine from Jing Boran's drama series that's not romance. I regret not deciding to watch this sooner.

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Perhaps I should stop trusting recs on social media

I've been dropping a lot of Cdramas lately, so I wanted to push myself to complete this. But I cannot stop thinking about how much I DON'T WANT to keep watching it (seeing as I chose to drop this show and write this review at 1:30 am).

If you were to ask me why I feel dissatisfied with this drama, I'd tell you that 'they' sold this drama wrongly to me. I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen this recommended as

1. An epic romance - Que that one scene with our FL and ML kissing while ML is on a horse and the military is walking in slow mo on either side of them

2. A show with a cruel, fierce white-haired general - *insert - multiple tweets, fan edits, and Reddit posts about Song Mo being one of the coolest white-haired generals out there, with apparently one of the best snowy entrances - here*

I went into this expecting a few things

i. A cool, ruthless, sensible, white-haired general
ii. Based on the happenings in ep 1, a collaboration of brains and brawn from the FL and ML — both working together to evade the terrible fates in their 1st lives.
iii. A love story that defied all odds through the sheer will, stubbornness, and cleverness of the main characters

Instead, what I got was

a. Some odd reincarnation (can we even call it that?) plot - So 3 people got a chance at a 2nd life - not 2 as I'd initially thought. Not bad. But, rather than me getting a version of 'The Princess Royal' where both the ML and FL find out about this 2nd life and work together, it turns out that he thinks it's a dream.

And the other person who knows the truth is a male character who rarely pops into this story.

He could be a random sage from the ages, a part-time narrator, or maybe a random magical being from how little he shows up and influences the plot. He randomly shows up, has a short convo with our FL (they are reincarnation besties after all), explains some things, then poof! He's gone. Eh??? Why's he even here?

b. The ML & FL don't work together - Until she decides to marry him, she spends her time saving him in secret, avoiding him where possible, lying to him, and trying her best to ignore his existence the rest of the time.
He, on the other hand, uses her largely as his moral compass/sounding board. At times when he has to make a decision, he or someone close to him goes ' What would Dou Zhao do?', and then they go from there

c. Zero presence of the cool, ruthless, sensible, white-haired general I was promised - The white hair, this white hair that I kept seeing over and over and fucking over my feed showed up in episode one and never again! *insert gif of me falling dramatically to the ground in tears and despair*

Like Y'ALL TOLD ME, YOU PROMISED ME that I was going to witness the coolest, hottest white-haired general, only for that to last for 1 episode???? Then, THEN!!! This so-called white hair shows up in some later episode as a random little strand coz he was stressed, as his father is an ass. But she saved him, so.... that was the end of that. I just... Liars. All of you!

Let's not even talk about how rash he is. The man doesn't even stop to think. Just rushes everywhere, sword and anger first, thoughts and consequences later. Because of his thoughtlessness, he even becomes a sort of pawn in Dao Zhou's hands

d. Inconsistent characterisation - This is largely about Duo Zhao. For most of the story, she is portrayed as a rebellious yet purposeful young lady. She learned her mistakes from her 1st life, so when given a chance to redo her life, she takes destiny into her own hands and defies what is expected of her as a motherless noble daughter with a spineless father.
She chooses to forge her own path, learning not only business but also how to stand up for herself and deal with crafty people.

So, with all that in mind, can anyone explain to me why, when she went back to her father's house, she sat back and let her horrendous stepmother basically dog-walk her? Let the terrible, power-hungry uncle continue pulling strings in the household?
The young lady we were introduced to before could have run laps around her stepmother and uncle. Could have found 15000 ways to prevent her marriage to Wei Ting Yu. She had the smarts, money, and connections to do it. But no. It took her younger sister daring to plot against her for her to evade that marriage. Girl... WTF?

e. Their romance is just, meh - They didn't sell it to me. Rather than it feel like 2 people mutually liking and falling for each other, it feels like her constantly avoiding him as he follows and badgers her like a lost puppy, hoping to be loved. She's closed off, and usually, this characterisation can work if it comes off as the character being careful. Here, instead, it comes off as cold. They didn't convince me of this epic love between them.

Like, that episode where she wants some, was it tofu pudding🤔? and he hears about it, so he has his men buy multiple tofu puddings from the capital and have them taken to her grandmother's estate in the countryside. That should've made me go 'aaaww. What a thoughtful, caring man.' Instead, all that rang in my brain at that scene was, 'Is this how he's spending military personnel and funds? Wow, what a waste'😭

Perhaps if I had gone into this without the set expectations, I'd have enjoyed this better. But seeing as I can't help thinking 'this is not how it was supposed to be' every time I watch the story unfold, I believe it's time to let go.

PS. A character I was rather invested in, in a way I didn't expect, was Ming'er. I feel bad for her. She might have been terrible in the 1st life, but I think that was her mother's influence. She is such a sweetheart in this life. I'd hoped that she and Dou Zhao would form a nice sisterly bond in this life. That both their fates would be better as in truth, they are innocent victims of their cirucmstances. Of the mistakes of their parents.

But seeing how she's still under her mother's thumb and ended up married to that useless man, I don't think that's happening. She's also being bullied by the useless man's money-hungry sister, and the husband, in his glorious uselessness, hides behind his very young wife's skirts and does nothing about it. Leaving her to fend for herself. Sigh, the poor girl.

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Missing kiss

The storyline was great about a popular star who redeemed herself 25 years later after a terrible accident. The two main leads were amazing and had a great chemistry. The FL is an incredible actress. The ML is incredibly handsome and couldn’t take my eyes off of him. If they became a real couple at the end instead of just a manager and actress, then how come we didn’t get a full affectionate embrace and passionate kiss at the end of the KDrama? I would have given this a full rating of 5 out of 5 but the audience was deprived of this. I wouldn’t rewatch or recommend this because if this big deprivation.

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The Epoch of Miyu : One of 2026's best mature urban romances so far

🎬 Quick Take
🔹 At the time of this review, 22 of 38 episodes have been released.
🔹 I usually rate dramas based on three things: writing, directing, and acting.
🔹 By Episode 22, this one is delivering in all three areas for me. Current score: 9.5/10.
🔹 Best advice: try the first couple of episodes and see if it clicks for you.

💚 Why You Might Like It
🔹 You want a mature romance where the characters actually feel like adults.
🔹 You like leads worth rooting for, great chemistry, and stories about starting over.

📕 Overview (Spoiler-Free)
🔹 38 episodes / metropolitan romance/workplace drama
🔹 Zhu Zhu plays Xu Miyu, a woman trying to rebuild her life after her marriage falls apart.
🔹 Wallace Chung plays Ji Feng, a hotel executive who reconnects with her at the right time.
🔹 It is a story about healing, career growth, and learning what happiness should actually look like.

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 I started this expecting something decent, but it pulled me in more than I thought it would.
🔹 It deals with adult problems in a way that feels relatable.
🔹 There is romance, but the personal growth side of the story matters just as much.
🔹 Themes: self-worth, second chances, healing, trust, resilience, moving forward

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Zhu Zhu (Xu Miyu): She makes the character feel hurt, strong, frustrated, and hopeful all at once.
🔹 Wallace Chung (Ji Feng): Charming and easy to root for.
🔹 Supporting cast: Enough drama, humor, and tension to keep things interesting.

🎵 OST
🔹 Opening theme: Her Epoch (她的纪元) by Xu Ming Ming
🔹 Ending theme: The Forgotten (被遗忘的) by Kang Zi Qi

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 The hotel setting gives it a fresh workplace backdrop.
🔹 Easy to follow and paced well so far.
🔹 Styling fits the age and tone of the characters.

☕ Tea Notes

🌟 What worked
🔹 The chemistry feels natural and never forced.
🔹 Xu Miyu's growth has been the best part of the show for me.
🔹 Romance and workplace storylines are balanced nicely.
🔹 I kept saying "one more episode" and then watching three.

🌟 What did not (so far)
🔹 Some melodrama moments are familiar.
🔹 A few plot turns are easy to predict.
🔹 Certain side conflicts go on longer than needed.

☕ SpillTheDramaTea Rating: 9.5/10

🌿 Tea-Scale: Easy to binge with grown-up charm

✏️ This is definitely worth checking out to see if it's your cup of drama tea.

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