Amor Misterioso (2021) (2021)

Wow

Most C-dramas I've watched are really nice to watch in the beginning but by the middle of it, no matter how much you like it, you just have had enough of it and skip, skip, skip until the very end. That's not the case with this one. 16 episodes was perfect. Usually I find myself skipping minutes at a time, I didn't do it at all here. This is definitely not your usual C-drama. The female is not stupid or immature, there is no love triangle, no repetitive scenes orscenarios., and she doesn't let him walk all over her. I usually don't care for flashbacks but in this drama they were a perfect way to know their past history without adding on another 30 episodes. The best part was there was a lot of tender moments between the leads. No fake kissing. Something you won't find very often in a C-drama. They had amazing chemistry. Sure the ML comes off as cold, possessive, jealous, but the way he warms up to the FL and the way he looks at her...it makes you melt. Even the second couple was enjoyable to watch. It's been a while since I have enjoyed a C-drama like I did this one. Be prepared to binge watch it.

Leia Mais

A bit cliche but worth watching

This isn’t really a romcom so if you’re looking for lots of laughs then you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re looking for a drama with an interesting storyline and a sizzling romance and don’t mind a few cliches thrown in along the way then you’ve come to the right place.

The storyline is pretty original with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. I liked that there were several villains throughout the drama which kept it from getting predictable and boring. I also liked that both main leads are tough and can hold their own. If it weren’t for the cliche guy obsessed with the female lead and the cliche girl obsessed with the male lead it would have been much better. I’m so tired of seeing that scenario in almost every drama I watch nowadays. But the second male lead and his romance with the female leads best friend made up for that. I enjoyed watching their little romance. The side characters were well fleshed out and thankfully there weren’t any love triangles which was so refreshing.

The romance was the best part of this drama. Not only are both leads gorgeous, but they had great chemistry. The kisses were pretty steamy and there were plenty of them. The romance wasn’t cliche at all either. In fact it was pretty original. There weren’t any accidental falls into the male leads arms or second leads sabotaging the main leads by creating misunderstandings between them. Instead we see the male lead make some original moves like smoothly maneuvering the female lead into his lap on a bus. It was also nice seeing them together fairly early on and getting to enjoy their romance for a good deal of the drama. Overall the romance was done really well.

The male lead is a smooth confident and very charming guy. Even though he was orphaned at a young age he’s brilliant and was able to create a lucrative security company that provides protection to the elite upperclass. His charismatic personality along with his superb fighting skills reminded me of James Bond. He’s a bit high handed and aggressive with the female lead sometimes but I’ve always been a sucker for strong alpha males as long as they are respectful of women. And the male lead was a complete gentleman throughout the drama.

The female lead is smart, confident, talented, and capable of taking care of herself. On numerous occasions she got away from those trying to harm her all by herself. Yes the male lead does rescue her a few times but she helps him out too. I like how she saw through the women that tried to make her jealous or misunderstand things. She’s definitely not one of those annoying female leads. I found her character very likable.

In conclusion I would say this is definitely a drama I’d recommend watching. The storyline is great, the acting is great, the romance sizzles, and you can tell it was a high budget drama. I did deduct a full star for both main leads having someone obsessed with them without much of a reason for the obsession other than to move the story along. And to make matters worse they were so obsessed that they were willing to kill to be with them. I also deducted half a star because of the numerous flashbacks. There were multiple flashbacks every episode. It got tiresome and confusing at times. But it’s still a great drama that doesn’t get too melodramatic and is pretty balanced. Most misunderstandings get resolved fairly quickly and it’s well paced. This is a drama that shouldn’t be skipped. I really enjoyed watching it.

Leia Mais

Action/adventure/romance, enjoyable ride

The rating I gave this drama was due to the male lead and the chemistry, otherwise I would have scored a lot lower because of the 2FL and the kid.
This show was pretty short (relatively speaking for a Chinese drama) at 16 episodes of about 30 minutes each. I’ll be honest, that’s what made me give it a try.
STORYLINE: Very good! There were no draggy parts. There was romance and action and mystery and some comedy. I loved how they had a backstory at the beginning of every episode to give you further insight into what happened in the past of the main couple. There was a twist at the end that some people thought was very predictable, but all I can say is I was sure glad it was there! I did like that the couple had a history, I’m a sucker for the destiny trope.
MAIN COUPLE: Can you say chemistry?!?! The first episode, where it showed how he was protecting her was HAWT! Some excellent kisses. There's a pottery scene (like we've seen in Ghost) that was so well done. It brought the steam. The extreme close ups of their faces, the close ups of their hands in the clay, his hands caressing hers - just all kinds of yummy. I didn’t quite understand how they went from having one conversation to being considered boyfriend and girlfriend, and their breakup was kind of meh. Luckily it was short-lived. I thought the ML was very charismatic and whenever he was on screen, that’s where my eyes went. His smoldering looks were off the charts! How he played his character was a Tsundere done right. He was very serious and appeared cold, but there was a warmth within him for his friends, and especially for her. She was a beauty, and her character was good. I like it when they don’t make the women out to be silly/frivolous/weaklings/stupid.
SECOND COUPLE: Him, I loved. She, however, was another story. For me she was too silly and like a stalker. Later on, once they got together, they were very cute. His daughter, however (and I know I’m in the minority here) was a nightmare! There’s precocious and then there’s bratty. She tipped the scales WAY over into the bratty range. She was whiny, demanding and disrespectful and she needed a good time out.
I watched this in a day and half and wasn’t in the least bored. Then I went back and watched it again!

Leia Mais

Underrated, Gem

This show was super good! As someone who enjoys some action/suspense Chinese dramas, this was fantastic!

First, the cinematography and visuals were on point. The second episode especially illustrated this when the two leads met again. Gorgeous scene! The storyline is pretty solid, it had great pacing. I do almost wish the story was told in a linear fashion but it still works. The FL & ML had great chemistry and acted well in their scenes.

While some dramas often feature long stretches or episodes with a ton of pointless fillers, this drama made everything felt important to the plot. For example, their date scene at the amusement park could have been a filler episode but it served so well to help FL confirm and question ML. Most scenes were not wasted.

This drama is not without its minor flaws. The ‘villain’ comes off a little too strong when he kidnaps her. I would have loved to see him act more calm, composed in reflection to the earlier scenes. I didn’t buy his obsession with FL as he seemed irrelevant- like an after thought.

HOWEVER, this also can illustrate how insignificant he was to the FL lol. I just wish his main motivation added up to more than FL and his daddy issues.

Also- as an aside, I really appreciated how ML was supportive of FL. He recognized her career was important to her and treated her like she could handle her own. While these are not “wow” traits, I liked seeing this illustrated as many dramas treat women like they are incapable.

Second lead couple was cute btw ?

If you enjoyed Love Me if You Dare or When a Snail Falls in Love, check this out!

Leia Mais

I've rewatched this several times

Well. Lets begin with the slightly different feel of the drama itself. It definitely nately has a more...action-y (?) feel. The male lead is not the pretty 'flower boy' type in that he has much more of a typically masculine vibe.(don't get me wrong - flower boys are amazing as well!). His character was supposed to be secretive and guarded, while also having his metaphorical walls broken down by FL.

Female lead plays her role well, especially after a few episodes when past circumstances arise. She is the normal character placed in the middle of a very dangerous story, so i think its normal for her to balk at times, as well as being strong and independant when need be.

The chemistry between the leads was intriguing. It's clear that the ML and FL were on the same page with their acting in scenes togwther, and even can be seen smirking at each other at times (which i found sweet!) As stated above, both leads played their characters well.

This drama was extremely refreshing. The suspenseful feel of the show really adds to the difference between this and other recent dramas.

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

Mature drama with a good combination of romance and thriller

7/31/2021

Saw a MDL article recommending this show and I thought I would give it a shot. This drama does not seem to have big stars in it, and not being talked about a lot. However, I quite enjoyed it and thought it has a good combination of romance and thriller. This is a very short drama, 16 episodes and about 30 minutes each. I am glad to see more recent modern C-dramas that are shorter. This contributes to a much tighter plot and no dragging. I even felt that the drama should be a little longer to give us more of the story that happened 5 years ago.

What happened 5 years ago was introduced through flashbacks in the beginning of each episode. Though the flashbacks were not in chronological order, I didn't find it confusing. I would have liked to see more and longer flashbacks, to see what really happened and how the love between ML and FL developed. Since they still love each other 5 years later, they must have a pretty amazing past for that to happen.

This is my first time watching any of these actors and actresses in a drama. I felt that the acting is pretty good (not amazing). I enjoy FL's portrayal of a mature and smart woman, who despite being in love with ML, did not make stupid decisions but somewhat rational ones. I always have a soft spot for MLs who are cold on the outside but warm on the inside (but not acting like a jerk). Our ML here is quite handsome with nice abs (LOL). His acting isn't bad but also not amazing. I do enjoy those smiles and loving looks he has for the FL. He looks especially handsome in suits and when he's fighting. Actually, I felt that this drama has many good-looking actors and actresses. 2ML is especially adorable and it's a good contrast to the cool-looking ML.

I enjoyed the romance development of the leads. There's a decent amount of push-and-pull but you can feel the chemistry.
They also have great and realistic kissing scenes. Their love feels mature. However, it took me a little while to get into the secondary romance. I do not like the stalker-ish and persistent behavior of how 2FL is chasing 2ML. I really wish dramas would stop doing that. On the other hand, I understand it takes a character like 2FL to break through the walls of 2ML.

I also enjoy the OST and the background music. I am so glad that the music did not appear at inopportune times, or played extremely loud. I also like the wardrobe selection here. Actors look dashing in suits and actresses look great in the respective outfits. Oh, and the little girl is quite cute and sassy. She is quite a scene-stealer!

Leia Mais

Interesting Drama

This drama was quite a nice watch - unlike most C drama's this one had 16 episodes. I wished they had extended one more as the last episode was teeny bit rushed I felt.

The story and acting is good- its not a fluffy rom com, there is action, romance plus kisses etc....The ML is so hot - such a chiseled body...the SML was very cute too.. no love triangles...I liked that the ML's perspective is also shown at the start of most episodes....its was a beautiful beautiful love between the main leads... no long breakup's, the pace was maintained thought out the drama.

Its an interesting drama to watch, I feel very much under-rated.

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

An exciting thrill ride from Ep1-ep16 a must watch

This cast is full of talented and good looking men/women and the chemistry between them is hot. The child actress Xu Duo Duo should be nominate for an award she did an amazing job keeping all in check lol. This drama is about a love that could last thru the years, but a difficult task that is. The excitement of being part of a syndicate Da angang in which you are the good guy(Lee) and very godlike. Then we have Ruan nian chu who is actress and very pretty. Thru an accident on an island she meets lee who saved her from drowning and saves her life a few more times. She has a strong personality that can tell right from wrong and can standup for herself. She and Lee falls in love while hes on a mission and in order to save her goes down with the bad guys. She comes back to life slowly, but doesn't forgot lee at all as she still doesn't believe hes dead. She even has the flowers (forget-me-not) he gave her 5yrs ago, but are starting to wilt and her boss offers to save them. She goes to a party un-invited for work and sees Lee there as she trys to break in she stopped by security. Once in she call "Lee" and he ignors her then is introduced as Li teng head of security. She doesn't believe him and tries to get his attention so she jumps into the pool and starts to drown, but is rescued by his associate Jiang Hao. In the interim while fixing the flowers Tuan Zhang finds a coin that breaks in half and is usb he plugs into his phone runs a quick file and he thinks its broken, but instead its a gps locator. Now the story begins with tbe good guys trying to find the coin before the bad people working for Da an find it. The story from here is exhilarating and never a boring moment. You laught you cry it make you feel a part of them and your cringed up.
Enjoy as much as we did.

Leia Mais