A good in between watch

Good and entertaining. If you need something lighthearted, this is definitely one for you.
The only gripe I have is the change in the ML behaviour. It happens often in the C dramas, and I don’t get it. Why does a strong ML change into a pathetic puppet after he falls in love????? What kind of hang ups do the script writers have to think it’s attractive?
However, apart from this, the story is super fun, clever, and well paced. I absolutely love the FL and her mischief, a very good actress. ML is definitely one of my favs on the short drama lists, hope both get more and more opportunities to shine in larger productions. Don’t give this one a miss if you want something g to lighten up your evening. :)

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OMG Zhao Lu Si, why????

I watched it because of Zhao Lu Si, as I found her performance in Who Rules the World amazing. This is going from hero to zero. I know she’s meant to have the child like voice, but it was an overkill to a point of me wanting to throw the TV out of the window. Her performance was lukewarm and she did not bring any sparks to the relationship. I am really disappointed. Watching her other works I would have almost believed she is only a character actor who always plays silly girls, but in Who rules the world she disproves that theory.
It didn’t help that the story was also boring and ML, who I believe has talent, didn’t bring out his best - probably because of the weak story and serious lack of chemistry with FL .
Worst thing of all is the OST, annoying tune on repeat, nearly drove me crazy when combined with her whiny voice overkill….
I am not sure who failed here - was it the script, the director or the actors being too tired and just going through the motions???

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Must watch

This drama blew my mind. Can’t recommend it highly enough. It is a departure from your usual fodder of costume drama topics.
It may put people off because of the difficult issues it tackles, which reflects on just how current the pressures on women are. Women who suffered abuse are still having to deal with blame and shame, a large percentage of court cases never make it through courts, and often, in sexual harassment it is the woman who is shunned and shamed. Rape, abuse of power, the shallowness and consequences of public sheep mentality, all are so directly, yet seamlessly dealt with in this drama.
Part of me, when I started watching it considered switching to a more light hearted drama, as I didn’t want to get sad and depressed when I am meant to be relaxing. However, I was hooked from Episode 1. The magic of the way this was produced is that it didn’t induce darkness and depressive mood, but instead it provided a superbly immersive experience, succinctly bringing up the reality within a world of costume drama.
I applaud the directors and producers for the way they created such a refreshing take on filming, intertwining past and present events in each episode, no plot holes or clumsy flow in the story development. Not too slow and not too fast. Just perfect.
Whoever selected the cast, should be given an award - they all fit in their roles perfectly and their acting was immaculate by all, which is astonishing because normally you get some weak links. Here, main and supporting characters have unbelievably good acting skills, delivering emotions and flavour of each character with perfection.
If you are hesitating to watch this because of the subject of the drama, I definitely recommend you give it a try. From story, through filmography to acting it deserves 10/10, probably the best quality drama of 2023. Yes, the big budget series with popular eye candies, love to watch these, but every now and then, we come across dramas that feed the soul. This is one is truly one of a kind.
I do hope that the actors and actresses, the director and screenwriter get the recognition they so deserve.

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True menhua feel

Superb. What makes it different to other mystery dramas is the way the characters retain the comic book qualities in their acting, lending the series slightly goofy and a very uplifting vibe. It is so refreshing!! The fight scenes are pretty good and aplenty :) Loved Ding Yu Xi having fun with his cat impressions, nailed it - retained the kitty vibe instead of being too fearsome like a tiger or a lion. His friends and foes also got their characters spot on, the only one I feel a bit unsure of is Ren Min - her delivery was a bit flat, trying to come across as strict and uncompromising but with a good heart…. Alas the role didn’t work for her in this series. It is funny to see how many people got confused by this series, so used to standard wuxia / xianxia scripts, totally forgetting that this is manhua and unlike the usual series, it actually sticks to the comic book feel of things. Bravo 👏

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A must watch

Definitely one not to miss - both the leads and support cast - top notch performances. The plot was refreshing and although I love happy endings, this I didn’t mind the not so happy ending here because of the pleasure of the entire drama - no fast forwarding, or “half watching “ sections. I am really fussy about actors - their acting skills are a priority, good looks simply not enough. ML is now one of my favourites - he’s not only superb as an actor, but also quite handsome which is a bonus. FL was outstanding, I want to see more of her works now. The storyline is refreshing, not following the “safe plot lines” , and keeps a good pace. I me of the best dramas of 2023.

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Domestic abuse in reverse

I need to have a rant about this. I cannot believe that people called this story “funny, endearing or romantic”.
If a man gave a woman black eye and on a repeated basis, it would be considered disgusting and unacceptable. How is it ok if a woman physically and mentally abuses a man????
I cannot believe that they actually produced a drama telling violent behaviour as romance! I don’t care if she stops because he “tames her” or stands up for himself. It is plain disgusting.
I noticed this trend in a few dramas. I am not sure what emotional issues there writers have if they think that abusive behaviour somehow portrays a strong independent woman. The opposite is the truth.
Yuck 🤢

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