Unexpectly cute HS drama

Pretty cute HS drama w/o excessive cringe scenes & bad characters. Easily binge through 24 ep.

Positives:
1. Super cute cast especially the ML , FL and FL's bestie.
2. 5 friends ALL have very different and good personalities.
3. Positive teachers? What? in a C-Drama?
4. Minimal negative characters & lines although the ML's mom's scenes I still needed to skip that.
5. Chemistry: ML & FL personalities compliment each other very well.
6. Dialogue: Plenty of funny lines
7. Enough substance: coming of age experiences for character growth.
8. Natural sounding voices & natural makeup. Simplicity is key

Not so Great:
FL's character is still semi cringe. This does fall into the drama trope of academically challenged Female (at least she excels in English) that talks 10 years younger & always need to be saved.

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A worthy series to continue

The cast of Lee Kyung Young always deter me from wanting to watch but he's literally everywhere. I paused for a while but eventually circled back to this but had to skipped 90% of his lines.
Then there's Cha Eun Jae's mom, I skipped her lines too. Control of a 30 year old is not something that's relatable to me.

S3 Positives:
-I loved the addition of the 2 new doctors that offered some comedy relief. Jang Dong Hwa & ex army doc Lee Seon Wung.
-They also kept most of the S2 cast including my favorite pair Cha Eun Jae & Seo Woo Jin. Hands down Seo Woo Jin is the best character.
-Master Kim evolved in this season to grand mentor status, no longer a hot head but super calm providing guidance.
-When the mentee becomes the mentor Seo Woo Jin character development.
-Relationship progressed with the couples as expected after 3 years.
-More screen time for veteran supporting cast Dr. Jung in Soo in all 3 seasons was very nice.
-Return of S1 Dr. Kang Dong Joo to the storyline felt nostalgic although he wasn't my favorite character in S1.

I hope this franchise can continue as there are so many interesting characters.

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Solid until ep 30

I've been waiting for the next drama on par with Ashes of Love and this although didn't meet that, it was a delightful drama overall. If you want action this is not it. There were definitely lots of lovey dovey scenes with > normal amount of pairings in a drama.

Wonderful Aspects:
-All that PURPLEEEEE <--- Hottest color
-Beautiful cast that can act!
-ML (which I was never crazy about) & FL had mediocre chemistry but there were plenty of laughs. I especially loved the FL Ye Tan. Thought she was just the right amount of silliness, cuteness, beauty & brains.
-2nd couple with Chao Feng & Qing Kui was definitely the best pairing in xian xia world with looks & chemistry.
-Gu Hai Chao (Chang Feng)'s 1st in command probably my favorite supporting character provided many comedic moments
-Strong supporting characters overall, few include: The wolf/dog/pup, the bird, the muscle head brother, and my favorite bad character the Void Queen. That beautiful badass mama you'd love to hate.
-Family relationships: Aside from all that coupling, I really loved the sister/sister, mom /son, & friends positive relationships.
-Cinematography / costume / makeup - One of the best aspects about xian xia dramas
-OST - yes overplayed and need a few more songs but the few songs are very good

And then after ep 30.....
-Story got sloppy, tiring and lost all the humorous moments. Scene progression didn't make sense
-One dimensional antagonist characters (both of the kings) got especially tiresome
-A bit overboard on # of resurrections & tear jerking flashbacks.
-Rushed ending with a summary narrative................ Aiyahhhh YYYYY

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A Ghostless Tang Dynasty

I do love Ancient detective dramas but in this category The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty would be the gold standard for me. Not that the 2 dramas are completely similar as this is focused on solving super natural murder mysteries.

Positives:
Su Wu Ming -- Humorous with a slight sarcasm. By far the most interesting character.
Ghost mysteries -- Interesting decipher of fake ghosts murders with several different mysteries. Good pacing.
Political struggles between the Queen vs the Prince and some how the mysteries intertwined with them.
Decent fight scenes - Not amazing but entertaining.

Could've been better:
Character development -- practically none. I had to give the series a break when when it felt like nothing but solving mysteries. Bromance never really blossomed and Lu Ling Feng's temper remain the same.

Enjoyable watch overall

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Just OK

I think if you watched this prior to Legend of Fu Yao or Eternal Love (Yang Mi's notable roles) then you would probably like it more. However if you watched this after that, then it's not as good. Story, chemistry, all felt less comparable. Sure the production is expensive. Costume and sets quite impressive.

Yang Mi - Fang Hai Shi ( literally she acted the same as her other roles) but with worse dubbed voice. The only part that I did like is that she's honest with her feelings and bold to express it. The role also didn't pull a disappearing kung fu like so many other strong FL roles. She should start to part ways from young roles at this as she looks too mature for the part. Of course she's gorgeous for her age but being type casted for the same role over & over again gets boring. Not to mention 2nd lead ML looked 10 years younger than her.

William Chan - Fang Zhu. He did a good job overall but chemistry wasn't strong w/ Yang Mi.

Emperor & Ti Lan - Talk about toxic relationship at its worst start to finish.

3rd couple Fang Zhuoying & Ju Zheliu, sweet couple but also not much going on there.

Too many episodes revolves around just the developing relationships and not so much on plot development. Often times felt draggy and repetitive. I'd rather see a lot more of plot development but I guess this is geared more towards sappy love story drama lovers.

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C or K version?

Actually both are mediocre compared to a "Accidentally in Love" or "Extra-ordinary you" . That being said both had enjoyable moments just far and in between.

Comparison:
1. K drama had better looking ML and 2nd Lead
2. ML in K drama is more likeable start to finish. C-drama had boy with abandonment issues hard to like
3. FL, both ultra cute but K version had way too many over exaggerated faces
4. 2nd Lead. C drama had a way too old looking one for HS actor but personality/lines wise he had funnier ones. K drama 2nd lead just felt like the standard sweet cute guy forever in the friend zone
5. Teachers in K drama were more likeable
6. FL leads parents were more likeable in K drama version
7. Song dances in K drama were cute

I mean it's just ok both versions. Something play on the side.

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Cheap idol drama with everything wrong

If you watched enough Xian Xia dramas, it will be hard to handle this one.
I really tried because I absolutely love Zhao Lusi but she needs to pick better scripts. Her star power is enough to get best of the best scripts.

So many things wrong with the drama:
-Cheap looking sets, cheap CGI & boring story
-Make up lighting is terrible 1/2 of the time making actors look worse.
-Casting of ML Wang An Yu. He does better in modern dramas. Here his hair doesn't flatter his face. What's more he has zero chemistry with FL. Had they used Li Yun Rui (supporting role) with Zhao Lusi, it would've been better. Previously he was a supporting character to Zhao LuSi in Love like Galaxy. At least they would've had some chemistry.
-Zhao LuSi's baby voice. I don't think the role required her voice to be so young.

Off to the next one!

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OK watch if you are fan of ML or FL

Mediocre fluffy drama enjoyable to watch on the side. It's low budget but If you like actress Zhao Zhao Yi from Romance of Hua Rong, you might enjoy this drama. The FL is not standard pretty but she's a much better suited for these cross-dressing characters. 1. She's taller & 2. She's not as ideal Chinese beauty & 3. She's not skeleton skinny. Of course, it is still not believable, but she is playing an Eunuch so kind of ok. She's also better at delivering the silly comedy lines so a great choice for this type of drama.

Expect the usual cliches:
Memory loss
Early years encounter
Piggyback ride
Disappearing Kung Fu

Enjoyable Fluff until mid-way when you realized that smart female assassin with lost memory NEVER had any character development. She's been basically reduced to a lovesick bimbo. WASTED potential.

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Lots of Joy of Life cast

I think you'll find it even more enjoyable if you were a fan of Joy of Life although the ML and the FL played brother & sister in Joy of life and this one they are husband and wife. Even Zhang Ruo Yun made the initial cameo which I loved! The ML maintains his comedic character and extended the same qualities in this drama. It's not a joy of life of course but if you need a lighthearted drama with a good laugh this one definitely offers that.

The ML wakes up in the past from the future and brings a lot of business savvy ideas. He gathers the support all the $ bought husbands to establish a business chain for thousand year old eggs no less. The dialogue back and forth was very witty. The only portion i skipped was many of the brother of the wife and his dad.

16 ep in the drama took a completely different turn in your political drama. It was still semi enjoyable but there's definitely some sad moments with supporting characters that I wish it didn't go in that direction. Honestly I wish they kept it just comedic through out and not go into this deep meaning of life choices, betrayal, loss over political unrest. There are enough dramas for that. The ending is also like Joy of Life where you know there's a season 2 just waiting years years later to happen.

Strong start with no finish....

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Poorly executed storyline

I am surprised at the high ratings??

I love Zhai Zi Lu (Mu Chuan) and pretty much stuck through the drama because of him. The story plot isn't bad, but it was poorly executed.

The not so great:
-FL cried & cried... it was like a crying fest for many episodes, but it just doesn't connect. I think she's better in contemporary dramas.
-The love story is sweet, but I didn't feel the leads had any chemistry.
-Jing Chao as Mu Ze: I've seen him as the bad guy in one too many dramas. It was hard to sympathize with his character. No fault to his acting but the storytelling wasn't compelling.
-Low budget background: It was like .... poster fake.
-OST - very few and overly repetitive.

The good:
-Zhai Zi Lu - Hope he picks better scripts
-Actual story - It isn't a bad story

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Watch if you are Zheng Ye Cheng Fan

Very standard cliche story line with annoying FL character portrayed by the actress Yuan Bing Yan whom I can't understand why she gets so many roles. I pretty much dropped all the drama she's been in. Even wth Zheng Ye Cheng is in it, it was hard to watch the interaction.

ML - ZYC though not an amazing actor (still very good), always stands out in costume dramas for his fight scenes. You can't fake all the years of training especially when there's a solo scene.

Main reasons to suffer through the cliches:
-ZYC - fight scenes
-Mask dude's fight scenes
-Cute supporting characters (Maid to FL and the little soldier next to her all the time)
-The little pig -- yes EVEN The little pig is a better watch than the ML/FL cringe interactions

I really REALLY hope ZYC can get an epic script one day that's on the same level as:
Joy of Life, Ashes of Love, Bloody Romance, Love like Galaxy etc ...

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One of the best of 2023!

This is not your typical idol drama but it's definitely an eye candy fest. You'll see many so many familiar good looking actors/actresses all gathered in 1 drama.

This is a quality production in a very dark setting. Ep 1 instantly got me hooked with the female assassin concept which remotely reminded me of Bloody Romance. The cinematography, CGI & fight scenes are all really good.
Make up on the MLs are a bit overwhelming but it works well on the FLs with the dark costumes. Costume designs are very beautiful with lots of black and fine gold detailing. Even the plain monk costumes you can see the fabric texture detailing. Quite impressive.

Storytelling & dialogue is engaging to where full attention is required at least the first 1/2. Story revolves some power struggles , murder mysteries, assassin frenemies making me wish this series is longer than just 24 eps.
Only parts I don't care for is the sister of ML. OTP forced humor feels out of place for this drama. A few lines were funny I admit but most I can do without. 2nd half though she did grow on me to my surprise. It's been a while since I loved almost every character and every fight scene!

Overall:
2nd FL & 2ML out acted the ML & FL
2ML's brother makes a great trio dynamic
Ending is.... tragically messy to the land of no where. Hoping S2 will magically appear one day and answer all unanswered questions.........................

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Happy 7 Happy Watch!

This is one of those silly dramas with stupid humor if that's your thing. It might be a good break between serious intense dramas.
80% of humor is blah but there's 20% that really hits! I am not sure if this works if you can't understand Chinese because 1/2 of the humor depends on the accent and word play.

Initially I watched for the FL: Bu Guan Jin. She's one phenomenal actress known for her animated expressions. Her character portrayal with her fake accent and expressions definitely don't disappoint.
I don't know if she gotten plastic surgery or just the makeup is overly heavy, but she looks almost unrecognizable here. Yes she's gotten prettier, but I much prefer her natural looks in "Dear Diary" Still! Wonderful actress!

Supporting character Fan Zhong Ju (Actor: Li Yin Wei) would be the 2nd character that delivered the funniest scenes.
As you get through 10 episodes the characters will grow on you and the drama becomes funnier. I end up loved all the characters and the pairings. Sweet funny all the way to the end!

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Hooked by ep 3

There are some crime dramas that have a powerful ep 1 that hooks you right away and then kind of sizzles off pass the 1/2 way mark. This one a bit slow in the beginning but by ep 3 you will love the characters. So heart felt with the leads from vastly different circumstances. An old detective conflicted with what's right verses a job that he needs to survive. He acts like he doesn't want to get involved but only because he doesn't want to drag down other people's career.

Comes a young hot seemingly empty cop with little joys in his life who doesn't care what this case will do to his career. They team to solve the case. It started off a bit slow but by ep 3, the 2 opposite cops bonded through a heartwarming scene where old cop asked young cop "why are you working?" (& not enjoying life with his inheritance $.) Young cop expressed he that he doesn't have a family and w/o being a cop "I'd have nothing left but money." You'll see the pain in his eyes with his acting!

The first murder wasn't much surprise and honestly I didn't expect the retrial to take that direction. The subsequent murder connections kept you on your seat. It's got enough names for you to draw 2 page relationship diagrams but it will all come to light by ep 13. The dialogues only gets better as the story continues. There are so many subtle humor between the characters that it keeps the characters all that much memorable.

I also enjoyed the complex characters that no one is one sided good or bad as they all have to make good and bad decisions that may or may not benefit them. You'll end up disliking one character only to like them later on, like the chief, the reporter, the internal affairs, the head strong cop on the team and so on.

Great crime drama extremely well written! This kind of drama deserves multiple seasons. One can only wish.

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Dad of the Year

This drama explores the best of the best of human nature but also the disgusting side. I just started this drama and already hooked. I did have to skip all the long dialogue of the nagging neighbors & relatives that feel the need to judge. Whole reason why I don't watch many modern C-dramas.

The dad who opens the noodle shop is a saint who end up taking care of 3 kids. Then there's the godfather cop who is also a great character as well.
I wish they spent a little more time on the little kids versions as they are all so adorable.

Its so sad that adult issues impacted the kids early on and as the kids grow you can see the personalities develop still overshadowed by the abandonment. I love how the 2nd brother helps the dad so much knowing how lucky he is to be raised by him.
The older brother is much more introverted that loves taking care of Jian Jian, the carefree hyperactive girl.
I love the personality dynamics of the three as they navigate through life and the changed feelings.
However I do wish the drama is more realistic in that none of them really went through relationships. The older brother is almost 30 and still zero relationship history.

Must skip characters:
ML 1 : Grandma
ML 1: CRAZY mom. TOXIC
ML 2 Little Older Bro: Biological butt dad
ML 2 Little Older Bro: Aunt <---- same lines every time
FL's smart GF: MOM <--- What's w/ these redic parents?
FL's pretty GF: MOM <---- not as many lines but not less annoying

As the story develops, you'll see the impact and hurt each person faces. There are so many great outstanding performances.
However the ending felt rushed. Side characters didn't wrap up their stories really. Could've used a few more episodes. This is where 40 episodes felt not enough for a change.

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