Amor Misterioso (2021) (2021)

Harlequin Romance Meets Chinese Drama

I remember when I first saw this drama on this site I read comments that likened it to a trashy romance/Wattpad story. Two episodes in, I felt myself thinking "IT'S SO TRUE." Mysterious Love had all the tropes and components of an action/romance Harlequin novel (they're well-known for being light/quick/romantic reads) and a stereotypical Chinese drama. If you're the type to enjoy romance for the sake of romance and not think too deeply about the action plot going on in the background, this one's for you.

SIMILARITIES:
❀ Bubbly, outgoing and artistic FL x possessive, cold and strong ML | Another trope: he saved her in the past. I think if American romance novels and Chinese dramas have a Venn diagram, this combo would be in the middle. The FL is a hard worker but is thinking of Lee, the guy that saved her years ago. When she meets him again, she's shook because he's acting so cold and impersonal (he even has a different name!). What she doesn't know, is that he's been thinking of HER these past 5 years too, but has been staying away "for her own protection." We love our emotionless noble idiot MLs, I guess.
I wasn't a fan of the ML in the beginning (especially when he was pushing her away "for her own sake" (ugh) (barf)), but he grows from such Neanderthal behavior. The FL is smart and holds no prisoners, so he learns to communicate quick, lol. Beforehand, he was the type to be reticent and make up for not speaking with aggressive actions but later on he can't deny his feelings and ends up opening up to her. He definitely has the makings of a CEO/security officer/Alpha wolf/cold celebrity + brooding MC that we see in Chinese dramas and Harlequin novels.
✕ Action/suspense in the background of the main couple's relationship | This suspense was not too bad and definitely added to the plot - but to a certain level. In each episode we see a bit of flashback with what happened between the couple 5 years ago when they were hanging with a gang (she was accidentally kidnapped, he was undercover). If you asked me about the criminal syndicate/gang subplot, I could not - for the LIFE of me - explain. They were just bad people??? His team was just getting rid of them even though they're supposed to be just bodyguards (they were on a mission)?? They came back to life after their leader died 5 years ago and are taking revenge? Like... these things happened, but I feel like the writing gave the bare backbones of a plot that was loosely held together (I know I watched this show in the background of doing other stuff but I usually get the general gist of subplots). The show tries to be intense/edgy in some scenes but I learned to not take it seriously. Also other scenes had me watching between fingers LMAO they were so cliche (non-derogatory tone).
❀ Everything is romance-driven | Whether it's the characters' actions, the villains' machinations, or the plot, everything serves one purpose: le racy romance(s). If you like in-depth plots and characterizations with logical consistencies, it's time to look away from this drama. What it DOES serve is a nice dose of jealousy and possessiveness from both the protagonist and villains' standpoints. The action is straight up there to highlight such emotions. Background logic for kidnapping/killing people? They just want to end up with the ML or FL, after all!! There's literally nothing deeper than that.
✕ Acting/characterization were fine but not deep | In terms of acting, I think the actors did the best they could do given the limits of the script. The FL did a good job in being a spunky girl with a brain in her head and the ML's coldness was exactly in-tune with his character. There was also a secondary couple (spoiled, rich princess x stoic, single dad bodyguard) that I have the same lukewarm feelings about - the 2FL was cute and preppy, I really liked her character, and the 2ML was emotionless and stayed that way throughout the drama. He also had a cute but sometimes annoying child that softened up to the 2FL (I think she acted pretty well!). Just like a Harlequin novel though, their characterizations were pretty basic, cliche, and predictable, with not much novelty going on. But, that's also common in Chinese dramas as well, so nothing surprising on that front.
❀ Happy ending for everyone | Well, except the psycho baddies. But, since this follows the plot of a Harlequin novel, we been knowing. >:)

DIFFERENCES:
❀ The FL is smarter than usual | In both trashy romances and Chinese dramas, the FL either succumbs to misunderstandings, instigates them, or in general is very naive and ignorant. The FL in Mysterious Love, Nian Chu, is not like that at all. She's the type to think things over (especially when they seem suspicious) and choose common sense/logic over hysteria. NC isn't a Mary Sue and good at everything though - she literally just uses her brain, which is refreshing. (Since it's 2021, I only want these kinds of FLs in Chinese dramas going forward.)

OTHER NOTES:
❀ I'm a big fan of the music | For a drama that doesn't look too pricey in production, they really utilized the background music to a surprising level. I don't think the drama itself has original soundtracks (not sure though), but the songs they used were really catchy and added depth to the scenes. Intro music is a mysterious/suspenseful instrumental track, and outro music is a song release in 2018 I think that's pretty popular. Although I'm not a fan of ballads (which sucks, because Chinese people love sad music lol), I really enjoyed the ending song. Fighting scene tracks are good too - I remember in this one scene they matched the action with the instrumental music, which was a classy detail.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | The ML purposefully hides things from the FL in the vein of an (idiotic) noble savior but she pries the truth out of him. Other than that, FL was written with common sense and doesn't fall for cheap misunderstanding tricks that potential villains go for. We stan a smart female lead.

OVERALL
Quick, romantic, and to-the-point, Mysterious Love is definitely a romance/suspense to watch at face value. (Note: high in romance, low in suspense.) I truly never understood the whole background of the gangs and island history, but who cares because you get to see the characters look hot in the jungle. *shrug emoji* The actors did their part, and overall it was interesting enough for me to watch in the background while doing other things. Recommended for a light watch (it's quick too, at 16 30-min episodes!)

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

Leia Mais

Finally a suspense drama I loved!

It started with the amazing opening sequence, OMG the music and the editing were top notch, it was almost edible but with no food!
Everything in this drama was perfectly balanced: suspense and romance, present time and flashbacks, main couple and secondary couple, humour and seriousness.
The dubbing was good and all the actors were good looking. The chemistry between the leads was sizzling and you rooted for them from the first second.
I'd like to take a note of the cimatography: some of the scenes were ingenious works of art and the placing of the music was perfect.
Recommended to everyone who loves their good romance with good suspense and action.

Leia Mais

TBH I almost dropped this show at around Ep6, glad I didn't.

Mysterious Love is the title of the show. But so far from what I've watched, all I'm getting is a mysterious plot.

Story started as the FL still looking for her savior. According to the backstory, he's one of her captors. Very Stockholm syndrome like.

And when they've met again, ML hid his identity and denied everything else. All in the name of protecting her. The only reason he got close to her again, is to retrieve some kind of coin from her. It is something she took from before they've first met. Then he plans to leave her, again, according to ML, is for her own protection.

In the end, he didn't leave her. Apparently, ML really loved her for a long time. He protected her with his life and made her his wife. The major let down of the story would be the big bad evil of the story. It's disappointing to say the least..

Leia Mais

I give it six months!

The initial review I wrote for this show when I was only a third of the way into it, was a much more positive one than the one I’m writing, now that I am done with this show. To be perfectly honest, this show is very cheap. Not just in the sense of its budget, but also in content and quality. Yet, it has some redeeming qualities. The main character is a rather likable blank canvas, the show is not as sanitized and prudish as the more popular and well-produced shows, and there is certainly a charm in its simple yet entertaining plot that manages to seduce the viewer into keeping up with it. So as a result, I am deeply conflicted in my review of this show and in my assessment of whether I enjoyed it or not.
It would be a lie to say I hated watching it. It would also be a lie to say I found the romance irresistible or nurturing. The best way I can describe this is perhaps to say that it feels a LOT like someone turned a 13-year-old girl’s Mafia-romance fanfiction into a semi-watchable show. It’s watchable because it tickles the nostalgic sentiments of a naïve and long-gone idea of romance that a lot of people harbored in their new young adult phase. As long as you take it lightly, it’s a short and entertaining watch.

You should check this show out if you like:
1. Mafia AUs
2. Short and concise shows with little Drama
3. A good time without much brain-usage
4. Modern Bodice rippers (Lots of sexy times. For a cdrama. It’s like kids’ play in comparison to western shows, though)
5. Summer aesthetics
6. Bestfriends shipping the main couple
7. Happily ever after

Summary: Five years ago, Ruan Nan Chu accidentally wanders into a gang territory and is taken hostage by them. In order to protect her, one of the leaders, a man named Lee, takes her into his custody. As Nan Chu spends more time with him, she begins to fall for the man. Then Lee helps her escape but seemingly perishes in an explosion. Despite that, in the following years, Nan Chu has maintained the belief that he is alive. Then unexpectedly, she actually runs into a man who looks exactly like Lee, named Li Teng, at a party. Drama ensues.

Plot: The plot is weirdly simple! In some ways that’s good. They don’t take 20 episodes for the characters to reveal their true identity and 30 more for the love triangle to develop and another 10 nothing-episodes before they will get an exhausted, long overdue happily ever after. The show’s run is short so things move forward rather fast but also because the main question of the plot is resolved in 5 episodes, the show still feels a bit too long. I used the fast forward button rather generously. In addition to the simple plot, there are some seriously questionable narrative choices made by the writers that left me both amused and confused. Almost no effort is made to make the romance seem like anything remotely plausible or sustainable to any extent! The two barely know anything about each other, their interest in each other seems purely physical, the male lead is honestly creepy most of the time with controlling and jealous streaks, and that’s the level they stay at. They never once have a meaningful conversation or evolve into better partners. It’s a stagnant dynamic that is bound to burst once their honeymoon phase is over. Or when Ruan Nan Chu will report Li Teng for domestic abuse. Whichever comes first! The second couple is no better. The SFL is clingy in a not-cute way and very immature. Her male counterpart seems to be hassled into the relationship by intimidation and a sense that it would be rude to reject her. With the romance so lackluster, the mafia plot should’ve been a bit more interesting but that was also sloppy and rather easy to resolve. Despite the atrocious romantic dynamics, and the pedestrian mafia subplot, the show has this charming x-factor that gets you! I was invested. I wanted them to succeed. The best thing I can say about the show is that it had no delusions of grandeur. It was self-aware. The plot was simple and so matters were resolved easily. It also has a dual-edge of both being feminist and forward-thinking (sexual agency, focus on the FL’s career, etc.) and being deeply problematic and backward (Li Teng is a controlling love interest and it definitely will digress into an abusive archetype at the flick of a finger).

Acting: The acting is not great. The only one I was really impressed with was the female lead but I thought the male lead fell short because he was constantly carrying this brooding smolder expression that was interrupting the authenticity of his performance. The sexual chemistry between them was great and there was plenty of steamy kiss scenes to highlight that but when they were not kissing, the acting was just not good. Everyone else felt like fodder as well. The only balanced performance belonged to the female lead who honestly deserves better projects where she can shine.

Music: Generic pop ballad that repeated over and over again. Overall, like every other cdrama out there.

Production: They maintain a certain aesthetic throughout the show. The costuming is very consistent with the female lead having a clear style throughout the entire show, a rarity when there’s ample chance to flaunt flashy fashion choices. The whole show has a special color grading which makes it cold and clinical. I didn’t love it but it did make the summer heat of the coastal setting seem less painful at least. For such a small budget show, with barely functioning anything, the fight scenes were seriously well-choreographed and created a nice hype.

Rewatch value: It’s short so it encourages that. I won’t rewatch it though.

Negatives: Evil femme fatal, tired trope! The gratuitous second prospective love interest in the Shixiong. The weird love triangle towards the end. The child character being annoying almost consistently throughout the show. That one female character who went mad because her husband died (wtf kind of 50s sexism is this?! Not to mention the weird implications about how mental health works). I’m still not sure what Lee’s job was prior to the bodyguard business. Was he in the military? Another gang? No idea! And to top all this off, there were those ridiculous shampoo ads implemented into the plot. It was hilarious but also just so absurd. There are a lot of questionable plot points with holes and just sloppy planning but if you don’t take it too seriously, then it’s more fun to watch.

Overall: I don’t regret watching it! Every time it became too stupid, I just laughed it off. When it shows genuine moments of sincerity, I enjoyed them. It reads like a fanfiction that is not particularly well-written but it is a fun time, anyway. In some twisted way, I want to recommend this show, actually. Just don’t watch it with high expectations.

Leia Mais

Sans prétention

J'ai finis ce plutôt court drama pour un drama chinois.

J'ai bien aimé le mélange de romance, et d'actions, avec une histoire derrière, il y a quelques rebondissements, et des flashbacks. L'histoire est fournie de pas mal de choses, pour chacun des personnages, elle est donc un peu recherchée.

Le couple principal marche bien, mais j'avoue avoir presque eu une préférence pour le couple secondaire. Leur histoire m'a vraiment touché.

Il y a des scènes d'actions sympathiques, des scènes touchantes, et une ou deux m'ont même mis la larme à l'oeil.

Dans l'ensemble, j'ai passé un bon moment, je ne me suis pas ennuyée, même si ce n'est pas le drama chinois le plus marquant que j'ai vu. A regarder comme petit break entre deux longs dramas :-)

Leia Mais

Good script and fast phase - love it

The first time I came across ML trailer I was wondering whether should I watch it or not. I only recognised the faces of the parents and the 2nd lead male in another CDRAMA. But some how watching from some clips made me wanting to check it out. My mandarin is so-so coz I was non chinese speaker but to really enjoyed it I have to wait for the english translation and I must say it is worth it. Truly enjoyed the drama. Well written script, good actors and actresses. Nothing silly and very direct, action packed series. Is like you kept wanting more and wondering what would happen next. Some plot have the elements of surprises. I really enjoyed ML and FL interactions and surprisingly the 2ML and 2FL and not to mentioned Xing Xing acted so well. I was asking is 16 episodes enough? Honestly I am not too sure… but honestly I enjoyed the ride…

Leia Mais

Sizzling hot

Firstly, I could watch Tsao Yuning all day, every day. He is a fascinating, physically attractive, charismatic male, honestly, the screen lights up every time he is on it. His character is self confident, full of integrity, big hearted, smart and loyal although not without faults such as jealousy and possessiveness. The story keeps our interest going, with short flashbacks that will tie the history all together and give the audience understanding and reason behind many situations. It’s refreshing that despite the plotting from others, the FML trusts the ML and all misunderstandings come to conclusion very quickly. It’s probably down to the fact that the show is only 16 episodes long. I adored the ML’s Wolfpack of live together, die together brothers, cheering for the SML/SFL relationship as well. The soundtrack is great, but the acting could be improved on by nearly all actors. The best actor is XingXing, what a fabulous budding actress she is. I will definitely indulge on rewatching this, just for Tsao Yuning's fighting, boxing and shower scenes alone. Yes, I know it’s very superficial of me and on this occasion, I don’t care at all.

Leia Mais

Unexpected diamond

This serie has blown my mind. I didn’t expect i would like it so much! A. Must watch drama.
Actually I was sad it only has 16 episodes, but it is perfect for the story.
The couple has really strong chemistry with eachother. And the second lead couple are also vert cute! Als on every beginning of the episode it starts with a kind off throwback,but not like that it is annoying. Just 1 minute or less where you can understand what happend and it goes back to the story from the time now. Really useful! Not confusing of dragging at all.
It also give this drama a different vibe. Not the beginning end story like most drama.
There is action, love, drama, tension a litlle bit of everything! There is no misunderstanding between a triangle love or something.
I really like this drama!

P.s: you are gonna get addicted to the drama. I finished it in 2 days^^

Leia Mais

the love is definitely not mysterious!

The show is great, the acting is great. I just felt a little confused about what the whole "accident" was about... i get the general gist but i wish they sat down and actually explained a to z what happened. maybe thats just because im slow lol.

i really liked this. it was refreshing from all the cliche bs ive been watching to fill up time. It felt more like a romance than a suspense/thriller, but there was a good mix of both. second couple is super adorable :D

it has a happy ending all around, which always is a plus for me :)

some things felt a little rushed, but nothing's perfect and thats okay!

also they do have a compilation of extra chapters which you can find on youtube. those are just cute fluffy shorts they made that are irrelevant to the plot. theyre funny though so i say theyre worth watching.

Leia Mais

This is a really good thriller/romance drama. The leading couple has very good chemistry and a mature attitude toward their relationship. The drama has some well choreographed action scenes and the group of guys from the bodyguard agency has great friendship and camaraderie. The supporting cast did a very good job with their own stories and there were some comedic moments in the interactions between Qiao Yu Fei (played by Leslie Ma) and the precocious Jiang Xing Xing (played by Xu Duo Duo). The plot is well developed throughout the drama but the ending seems a bit rushed and caricaturesqued. Even so, the drama is very entertaining, enjoy it!

Leia Mais