Now THIS is a badass Female Lead!

I’ve been waiting for a FL like this for so long but time and time again we get immature, cringy and FLs that are prone to making wacky decisions.

I’m at episode 14 and let me tell you - She is perfect. She is fierce, decisive, skilled, stunning and elegant. Everything she did just made sense. If she keeps this up she’ll be my favorite character of all time.

The leads have amazing chemistry and the team + Princess are SO lovable!! I can’t wait for more episodes.

**UPDATE.
Even with the wonky pacing after episode 34, it is still my favorite Wuxia and Ruyi is STILL is my favorite character of all time. The love story is deep, mature, sexy and romantic. The brotherhood is strong. Character growths were abundant and I fell in love with each of the characters. With this show, it’s definitely about the journey.

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A love story that makes sense.

There were a few epic love stories I watched where the leads are willing to sacrifice themselves for the person they love but I sometimes wonder why and how did they even fall in love in the first place.

This is not the case in The Legend of Shen Li. This forbidden love story is beautiful, compelling, sexy and we as viewers saw how it unfolded every step of the way. The progress of their love takes center stage and it just made sense why they fell for each other even when the whole world was against it.

The story is simple with a sprinkle of plotting and scheming and the leads are so adorable together. Loving it.

UPDATE SPOILER: Just completed this amazing drama. They gave us AN EPISODE of their happily ever after and it is what I NEEDED.

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Plotholes, tropes and bad writing.

Let me start off by saying that I was hooked for the first 11 episodes. Yes, the story is soap opera-y but the actors and actresses acted the heck out of what was given to them. Kim Soo-hyun can do no wrong and I’ve always enjoyed Kim ji-won so the problem is not because of them (or the production, cinematography, styling, etc). It’s the writing.

The last few episodes were just so painful to watch. Common sense were non existent, villains just did whatever the heck they please, the story just dragged and more and more tropes are being added.

I’m serious - nothing made sense.

Like, how did the SML think that he can just “erase” the FL’s past by throwing away some pictures and mementos. She exposed him on national tv and have recordings of him threatening her! It’s so dumb.

Why is our smart ML not more careful? The SML and his mom literally stole, threatened and put a hit on him. Like maybe get some bodyguards or let the hospital know, “hey there’s this guy that’s dangerous to the patient, beware!”

Why weren’t FL’s family with her in Germany?

Why did it take so long to convince her to do the surgery!? I thought the choice was a no brainer.

Anyway - if I didn’t have only two episodes left I would’ve just dropped this drama. I will finish it.

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2015 female lead in a 2023 drama.

Why are we still writing unprofessional, inappropriate and cringy female leads? I understand if this is a youth drama but FL is in her 20s and a working professional.

The story is like any other tropey workplace drama with an evil coworker, long, endless boring work discussions, a serious CEO and a female lead that’s all over the place.

Perhaps it’s due to the age difference but the chemistry between the leads are of an older sis/younger brother. Even though she acts immature and he tries his hardest to act mature. No amount of filters can fix this.

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Too much cringe.

First of all, the second lead love story. Oh my gosh where to begin!? So cringy, so unnecessary and so so SO BORING! I forwarded all their scenes and never looked back - why so much screen time? Those actors are more suited to be extras in a film, not supporting role.

The main leads had pretty good chemistry and Vin Zhang’s smile can melt anyone but that’s the only good thing I can say about it. What I didn’t like is Yu Meiren ‘s character. At first she wanted him to fall for her beauty and not because of her intelligence so she acted like a ditz. She pretty much acted the same way even after he found out she’s smart so what’s the point! Also, I know it’s Esther Yu’s own voice but she really have to tone it down. In one scene I had to lower the volume because her crying was just out of control. Honestly I don’t know why the ML would fall for someone like her. It seems like she annoyed and pushed him to the corner until he had no choice but to fall for her.

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ACHINGLY SWEET!

*** JUST FINISHED IT. WATCH ITTTTTTT

Cuteness overload about a girl falling for her older brother’s best friend. This story’s been done a million times but casting ZLS and Chen Zhe Yuan was spot on. They have so much chemistry and they look perfect together.

This drama is well paced, casting is PERFECT and the story is adorable. I normally stay away from modern cdramas because of the cringe factor and I can honestly say - no cringe here! Also, 25 episodes is the perfect amount. A lot of times romcoms die a painful death by dragging it out to 40. Patiently waiting for the next episode.

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A masterpiece.

I’ve never watched a cdrama where I have nothing bad to say about it. To be honest I usually stay away from cdramas and go for kdramas because I often find that the female leads are cringy, make bad choices, have no common sense AT ALL and don’t get me started on the baby voices (like I can’t even). Love Like the Galaxy (and Who Rules The World) were game changers for me. Here we have a strong, smart female lead that is equal to the strong male leads. If this is a new trend I’m here for it!!

Cast: Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei delivered! ZLS is the only Chinese actress that caught my eyes so I tend to look for her dramas but she REALLY stepped up her game in this. Her chemistry with Wu Lei was on fire! Some scenes, no matter how innocent had me fanning myself. Wu Lei was dashing as the general. He really did have the presence. Some may say he only had one woolen expression but hello! This dude had a darkness within him and only had revenge on his mind all his life.

All the supporting actors did an amazing job as well but my favorite would have to be the Emperor, the general’s side kicks, Consort Yue, the brothers.. okay I love all of them. Each and everything brought something to the table.

Pacing: some might say it’s slow and tbh the first 6 episodes were a bit (but necessary)! We really did have to know how the female lead lived so we understand why she made certain decisions in the future. I also loved how slowly the female lead fell for the male lead. It just made sense!

This drama was so well done that it was pure agony for me while waiting for new episodes. I was so obsessed that it was almost unhealthy. The episodes are all out now so watch it!

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If you want a life lesson shoved down your throat in every episode..

Lets start with the good.

- The scenery is gorgeous. I’m about to book my next trip to Yunnan.

- Liu Yi Fei is stunning. The whole show is basically of her walking around with her beautiful hair and amazing outfits.

- The grandma. Girlfriend stole the scene every single time.

- The food looks delicious. I was constantly craving Chinese food when I watched it.

- Slow burn romance. It was sweet.

Now for the not so good.

- I know this is a slice of life healing drama but the show overdid it. Every time there’s a conversation, someone always have something insightful to say (as emotional music plays in the background). Life lessons were constantly being spoon fed to viewers. It’s like the show doesn’t trust viewers to understand if they do it subtly. Everything was spelled out with endless, boring, educational conversations.

- This could’ve easily been a 30 episode drama. It could’ve been one episode less just by cutting all the scenes of that guy drinking tea and meditating..

- I started fwding parts with minor characters such as the struggle of that auntie who’s son went to prison, her bickering with that other auntie, tea/meditating dude’s business ventures, writer’s block girl (even though she’s such a cute actress), all the singing by the singer.. it was too much.

- Liu Yi Fei’s acting. I don’t know if it’s only me but her expressions and movements are always muted so I don’t always catch what she’s trying to convey. For example, there was one scene where she’s supposed to seem jealous but because of her lack of expressions I thought she was not interested. It was only until the ML pointed it out that she’s jealous that I understood.

This is getting too long. Overall, not bad but feel free with forward.

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Even PHS can’t make me stay

I just want to say I love PHS but this drama is a bust. There are so many things going on but at the same time it feels like nothing ever happens, do you know what I mean? Drama wants to keep the audience guessing but what ended up happening is me feeling frustrated and thinking to myself wth is going on?

At first I thought the female lead was strong and intelligent but now all she does is cry and say “CHORRR HA” with her deep voice. Absolutely zero chemistry with PHS and the romance is non existent.

Oh yea, and no second lead syndrome here at all.

One thing I do look forward to is hearing the autopsy master laugh. I loved all his scenes with the maid!

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THIS IS WHAT 2024 NEEDED.

I’m only up to episode 20 and let me tell you it’s been a rollercoaster for me. One I never want to get off.

I’ve been a fan of the pairing of Zhao Lusi and Liu Yu Ning ever since they stole the show in The Long Ballad and let me tell you they ate and left no crumbs in Pearl Girl. So. Much. Chemistry!!!

Their story is angsty, beautiful, brutal and so addictive. I love the whole cast (especially Shrimp, Kang Ju and Loud), the costume (GORGEOUS). the OST (LYN, come on) and everyone’s performance.

ZLS is known for being typecasted but this show definitely showed off her range. I’m patiently waiting for more episodes.

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A game changer

WRTW was definitely a game changer for me in terms of cdramas. Here we have a strong, smart female lead that do not lack common sense.

Things I loved:
- The chemistry of the ML and FL was on fire! There’s no question that Zhao Lusi can have chemistry with anyone she’s paired with but put her together with someone as handsome as Yang Yang? It should be illegal.

- The OST.

- No misunderstandings. I appreciate this the most. I love how there was no dumb misunderstandings to work through and they’re is trust between the leads. This indeed was SO refreshing after watching many cdramas of female leads making really bad choices.

- No cringy baby voices for the female lead. Thank god for this because I can’t even.

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Remind me so much of another drama.

When does it get better? Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute but I’m on episode 6 and I think I’m going to give it another episode before I drop it. This show reminds me so much of A Love So Beautiful (which I didn’t like) with a perky, obsessed FL and a stoic ML. I know he has a reason for being that way but all ML have reasons.

Seriously though why do they make these high school girls so forward when they like a guy? They are out there following them around even when the guys doesn’t show interest (as audiences we see the tiny smiles but the FL doesn’t!). I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever encountered any girls like that in school but came up with nothing.

The cast is fine but the FL remind me so much of a younger Esther Yu. I am already not the biggest fan of EY so it’s been taxing.

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What a gem!

Update: The story focused too much on sisterhood and feminism. The spark and romance from the first few episodes are pretty much gone. They are acting like friends or a couple that’s been married for at least 15 years.

Also didn’t like how the FL is always so rash and getting the ML and everyone in trouble. It’s like she doesn’t think before she acts. Then she would have a a bag full of tears while she justifies her actions to the ML. A pity because it started out so strong.

——


After finishing Love Like the Galaxy and Love Between Fairy and Devil I struggled to find a show (cdrama, kdrama and even jdrama) that held my attention. I was literally dropping dramas left and right for a few months. I was bored out of my mind. Kept seeing New Life Begins everywhere so I decided to give it a try without any expectations.
I would just like you guys to know that I am officially HOOKED. The story is so fresh, characters are so engaging, clothing is stunning and the chemistry is ?. The leads are so cute together and I can’t stop smiling every time they are together.
It is hysterical!

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