Not quite there!

I had very high expectation of this show, and was patiently waiting for all episodes to air so that I could binge watch it. The ML is a ex-mobster, now a stoic CEO running a company which hires ex-cons and gives them a chance to change their lives. He has a serious personality, and has no romantic experience despite being 36 yrs old. The FL is an online influencer who makes content for kids, does honesty work, but fails to garner the attention her company expects her to achieve. The interactions between our leads are all good till episode 10. There is an additional pursuer of the FL, who is a public prosecutor, good hearted, nice to the FL and weary of the ML. His interactions with the FL are great too. We see a love confession happening between the leads around the 10th-11th episode and that is when things start going south. In one scene we see the ML getting all awkward about physical contact with the FL, and in the next scene we see them acting all googly eyed, making finger hearts at each other and being lovey dicey to the point of being silly. Seeing the character of ML in previous episodes, this sudden change was a little hard to digest. Then there were unnecessary tropes added in episode 12-14 where we see the history of other characters, and problems being created because of them, which felt like they were added just to increase the screen time of the actors. I didn’t dislike the show, but I had to forward quite a lot of portions in these episodes because they felt stupid and unnecessary.

The serious, no-nonsense character suited the ML a lot, and I wish we didn’t have to see his silly romantic side. Serious romances are good too, given the age of the leads, that would have naturally looked better. The series got interesting again from the middle of episode 14 when things stated getting heated up between the ML and his dad’s gang.We see the silly side returning for a bit in episode 16 again, but thankfully it wasn’t as cringe as before. The FL was very pretty, but I didn’t like her kinky, super short bangs somehow. I guess Korean actors think that wearing bangs is the only way to look young, but looking one’s age is super elegant too. Anyhow, overall it was a good one time watch for me, I loved the serious ML, as well as the love rival prosecutor, the right hand man of the ML, however, was the best looking of all! Hope to see more of these guys!

Leia Mais

One of the best!

One of the best Wuxia dramas I’ve seen! To begin with, I love strong female leads and Shen Li, our FL, is the most formidable, brave and courageous person in the show. She is simply awe-inspiring! As for our ML, he is an epitome of straight faced humour, and despite of his status as the last living God, he is patient, emotional, contradicted by his own emotions, and burdened by responsibilities, but even with all this, he is so much fun when he is with the FL. As for the actors, I’d seen both leads before, though in separate shows and I must say their chemistry was over the roof, right from the start. All in all, the show was very very entertaining, with light hearted moments in each episode, even during very serious situations. It was interesting to see the growth of Lord Furong into what he became towards the end of the show, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Mofang, no matter whatever evil he did. I can go on and on about other characters, there were so many I loved, but seriously, every Chinese drama lover should watch and appreciate this show. Last but definitely not the least, the music and background score of this show was simply superb! I wish I could give more than 10 stars :)

Leia Mais

Unimpressive despite expectations!

This was a much awaited show, since I am a fan of both Bai Lu and Dylan Wang, with Miles Wei in this show as well, the anticipation was even higher. I generally wait for a show to complete airing before I binge watch it, but I started watching when about 26 episodes were aired. Episode after episode, my confusion kept growing as to what was the deal with the leads, with the ML clearly interested in the FL but always giving her a tough time, then helping her covertly. As for the FL, she is shown as a rising star in financial journalism, with many noteworthy articles under her belt, but as soon as the ML comes into the picture, she sees him as the only ladder she needs to climb professionally, the character sketch of the FL couldn’t have been more skewed. She flirts with a business contact openly, is unsure whether she actually has feelings for him, but sees nothing wrong in using him for her professional gain. I was expecting a great onscreen chemistry between the leads, but it was lacklustre and mediocre at best. What was really appalling were the unnecessary scenes of horse riding that felt so out of place and context! For the second leads, they looked good together, had chemistry too, but I didn’t get why their relationship had to be an on-and-off kind of situation, with no rhyme or reason for unnecessary conflict or coldness. The third couple, with Miles Wei was my favourite, and one of the reasons I continued watching. That said, even this cute pair couldn’t compel me to watch beyond episode 24. I really like Bai Lu and Dylan Wang, and sincerely hope they get better stories and characters in future. Bai Lu has shown such great on-screen chemistry with Ren Jialun, Xu Kai and Luo Yunxi, I expected more from her here, but she can only do what she is directed to, with the character that’s written for her. As for Dylan Wang, I loved him in Love between Fairy and Devil, but I just couldn’t feel the same for him in this show.

Leia Mais

loved it!

I loved, loved, loved this show. I had my eyes for it as soon as it started airing, but I patiently waited for all episodes to finish airing so I could binge watch it in a weekend. I love time travel themed shows, and this one was such a heart warming story, of family, love, friendship, dreams, love and loyalty! I loved all the characters, especially the ones from 1995, and I felt the dilemma, confusion, happiness and sadness with every character, especially the ML, right with him. The actress who played Cheong-Ah in 1995 was super cute and I simply loved her innocence and expressions. One discovered that the disability of the ML’s dad was not congenital, rather due to an accident at the age of 18, but even if it was 1995, hearing aids were available to people who could speak but just couldn’t hear. I mean one can understand how Beethoven became deaf and couldn’t be treated in the 1700s, but it is beyond me why Ha Lee Chan couldn’t be given a hearing aid! That said, I still love this show to pieces, and would be rewatching it several times, and would also recommend it to my friends!

Leia Mais

Exceptional, by Japanese drama standards

There are several Japanese dramas that I have started and left after a couple of episodes, some I’ve managed to finish as well, but no Japanese series has made me feel so many emotions as this one. What a beautiful story, it makes you laugh, fall in love, suffer heartbreaks, feel a sense of longing, dream, work hard for dreams, and then puts it all together with a very sweet happy ending. I loved both lead actors, and a special mention to the agent at the music label, the landlady and the pattern maker colleague of the FL, they all made the show worth watching. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more shows by these actors, and seriously, more shows like these would change the way people think about Japanese shows! A show worth watching, not to be missed for fans of sweet romances.

Leia Mais

If Only…..

I am so heartbroken!!! Why does most Ren Jia Lun series have tragic endings?? If we could for a minute forget that there isn’t a happily ever after in this drama, I would have given it a solid 10 stars, 15 if possible. The story was amazing, the conspiracies, the politics, the quick thinking leads, the soundtrack was like icing on the cake, not to forget the amazing costumes of Ren Jia Lun and Jeremy Tsui. I’m sure the makers of this series have attended to every minute detail in the show to bring us an amazing series, if only they could give the leads a happy ending after all they went through. I suffer from the second lead syndrome in most shows, but even if Jeremy Tsui was an amazing second lead, I didn’t get the second lead syndrome, this shows just how good he was in character. What do I even say about Ren Jia Lun! He was amazing, he is the champion of sacrifices, subtle glances for romance, and tragic climaxes. On top of it, he looked super awesome too! As for Landy Li, she was perfect in her girl-next-door personality and I loved her chemistry with RJL.

Leia Mais

Could have been so much better!

I had high expectations from this series, seeing the leads were such accomplished actors, but the poor editing and mediocre music of this series proved that only having a good story and great actors is not enough, a good series requires good cinematography, excellent camera angles, and a near perfect editing. The transition between episodes was ill placed and there were countless abrupt scenes-endings, which dampened the effect of the basic storyline. The series could have been made a little shorter and crispier, eliminating unnecessary plot-twists and unwanted characters who added nothing to the script. Yao Chi looked amazing in his character and he did perfect justice to his role as the second lead, that said, I would have liked it more if the dialogues assigned to him would have been better scripted. The lead actors, Zhang Han and Zhu Xu Dan were great, because they are inherently good actors, but I would have loved to see better costumes for Zhang Han and some more romance and chemistry between the leads. In the end, even excellent actors require a good script and great camera-work to bring their characters to life. Seven stars to this series for Zhang Han, Zhu Xu Dan and Yao Chi !!

Leia Mais

The animation was so much better!

I might have liked this series better had I not seen the animation ‘No Doubt in Us’ first. Generally when I watch a good animation, I want to see a live action based on the same story. Here, I would say the live action was less impressive. One, because I already knew the basic story, so there was no suspense or element of surprise in this drama for me, second because I somehow didn’t find the chemistry between the leads convincing. The emperor, or city lord (emperor sounds so much better in the animation) is supposed to be in his early twenties, and his harem has women in their late teens..but the actors chosen looked visibly older and less convincing of the ages they were supposed to play. The drama didn’t follow the animation verbatim, I frankly don’t know what was made first, but I would still give more credit and appreciation to the animation, I am myself surprised I choose anime over live action, but in the case of this series, the viewers should watch No Doubt in Us too and then decide for themselves.

Leia Mais

Good….but could have been better!

So this show had the usual tough guy marries a capable girl, they slowly fall in love, and are embroiled in political intrigues around the throne and the royal family. There is nothing new here, but I liked the show for the chemistry between the leads. Ding Yuxi was great as usual, and the FL was a breath of fresh air, good acting skills, and a pretty face. I might have given this show 10 star had I rated it at episode 34. The later episodes felt unrealistic..as in why does a guy who is obviously madly in love with his wife suddenly divorce her? And she agrees too? If it was for the benefit of the villain, I fail to understand how this fooled him, he was shown to be meticulously plotting to get the throne for years, yet he instantly agreed to take help from his arch rival and a super righteous guy? I found it hard to digest frankly. It would have been great had the leads solved the last mystery of the villain together as they did so many times int he series. The music of the series was good. I’m deducting two stars only for the stupid way the story was concluded.

Leia Mais

below average and disappointing

I rarely give 4 stars to a series that I manage to finish till the last episode. Frankly, I started this series for Zhang Zhe Haan, since I wanted to see him in a modern drama. An added bonus was Riley Wang, and all said and done, he looks amazing with his cute dimples, and I’ve always liked his character in all shows I’ve watched with him as a cast. As for Zhang Rou Nan, she was a bit of a disappointment in this show because of her poor acting skills, mediocre chemistry with the ML, and a constant pouty look. The reason I’m giving 4 stars to this show, despite of liking the male leads, is the shoddy story line, too much melodrama, and unnecessary scenes of the hostel family, a majority of which I forwarded. As for Chen Hao Lan, I loved her character in Love me love my voice, but she was unimpressive here somehow, her only quality being able to chase after men in an unrelenting way, but no solid character traits of her own. This could have been a much better show with less melodrama and 24 episodes.

Leia Mais

Lots of mistrust and politics, but interesting nevertheless!

Okay so….I can safely say now that Zhang Ling He is a master of complicated romances! If one has watched The Kuning Palace or My Journey to you, one would understand from where I am coming. I was waiting for the show to complete airing, but once it did, I read some negative reviews and avoided watching it, even though I like Zhang Ling He. Then I watched Love’s Rebellion, loved Zhang Ling He and Sally Jing there, and decided to take a gamble and watch this one. I’d say I was surprised that I found the show interesting from start to finish. A lot of politics for power, strife between the throne and noble houses for power grabbing, political marriages, and mercenaries who wanted to bring about a change! The concept doesn’t sound new, but what was new here was the submissive role the ML needed to play. He was clearly a very intelligent, and highly capable official, stuck at the lower rungs because of being a commoner, and was made the prince consort for the princess who was not only weary of him, but also had feelings for another man, our second ML, with memories from a past life where she thought she was killed by the ML and regretted not ending up with the second ML. While this all might sound confusing to someone who is reading the review before watching the series, the plot of the story can be summed up as having a tragic ending in life and getting a second chance by travelling back in time when things were still alright. What’s new here is that it was not one but three people who got to time travel to change their fate, and when similar situations kept cropping up, the self doubt, doubt on others, and the helplessness of not being able to change things made the series interesting. In the second chance, however, we see everyone getting what they wanted, people ending up with right partners without political considerations. Our leads married thrice in the entire series, the FL got pregnant in episode 37, and even though the story jumped three years forward, we never got to see the outcome of the pregnancy. As for the acting, I liked everyone’s role, I could criticise Zhao Jin Mai for her not-so-emotive acting if I become over-critical, but other than that, I liked everyone. Zhang Ling He was amazing as usual, and looked his best in episode 38 when he takes back his family seal from his evil uncle. I can keep going, but if I had to summarise this drama, I’d say it is an interesting story well performed, could have been better with better acting by Zhao Jin Mai, but still very watchable.

Leia Mais

Short, sweet, romantic!

A good in-between serious shows series, I liked the FL a lot in When I fly towards you, so I decided to watch this series. It was a short series of 14 episodes, and I binge watched it in one day. There isn’t much to the story, introvert boy has a crush on his high school desk mate, meets her again after 10 years, the girl being oblivious to his feelings all this time. They decide to be some a fake couple due to the FL being under pressure from her parents to marry, while it suits the ML perfectly, and he cares for the FL a lot, but they eventually separate because of misunderstandings and entry of love rivals on both sides. Soon after, they decide to get married after meeting on a blind date with each other. The FL has developed feelings for the ML by now but neither of them admit to having fallen for the other. Finally when the FL finds out about the ML’s long standing love for her, they are happy and sweetly in love. We also have our second leads who are best friends of the ML and the FL, their relationship was fun too, but I found myself fast forwarding some of their parts. If you are looking for a proper story with romance as a background, this series isn’t for you, but if you feel you want to watch a light hearted romance which isn’t too mushy, go for it.

Leia Mais

Emotional and beautiful

This was a story with so many emotional ups and downs, I kept crying and smiling at the same time. It was so heartening to see the leads as teenagers falling in love and looking super sweet together. While it was equally heartbreaking to see them separate due to circumstances, their encounter as grown ups was so cute at the laundromat when the ML sees her sleeping and keeps staring at her mesmerised and smiling! I loved all four actors, the ones that played the young leads and the ones that played grown up leads, but I’m slightly partial to the grown up ML Satoh Takeru since I like him a lot. This Japanese drama had very little of the surprised expressions that I find quite irritating about most Japanese dramas and the story didn’t look abrupt. On the contrary, it was a well thought out story with a blessed happy ending, my only regret is that we didn’t get to see the happy life of the leads together in the end, other than the one last scene in the aircraft.

Leia Mais