Trailblazing women Challenging Traditional roles in family and society

Completed - 12/14/2021

Not a lot of talk about this feministic drama with a focus on women who don't want their lives dictated by men and society. This drama revolves around three main female characters who came from very different backgrounds, and have tremendous character growth throughout the drama. We learned of their journeys from being young and stubborn to achieving their own dreams. This is a very mellow drama and it took me a while to get invested. I wouldn't say the pacing is slow, but it feels like not much happened in the first 10-15 episodes... just very slice-of-life. The plot picked up afterwards and there are more actions and events that keep me more interested.

I would recommend this drama if you like:
1) Women overcoming challenges in family and society
2) Smart women with high IQ and EQ
3) Learn about Chinese culture and the weaving and embroidery industries
4) Minimal, mature romances
5) Life of the common folks - not noble or royal families

Weaving/Embroidery - Though I don't know how accurate the depiction of the weaving industry and the techniques are, I do enjoy watching all the weaving scenes. The drama shows us the weaving process from start to finish - silkworms, to making silk, dyeing, drawing designs, weaving and the finished product. However, I would love to hear more of the "experts" explaining and/or critiquing, so that I can learn about why a certain product is better than the other. In the K-drama "Lovers in the Red Sky", I feel like I learn more about paintings from that show, than weaving from here. LITRK not only showed us beautiful paintings, but through competitions, I learned about the meaning and techniques. I wish "Marvelous Women" has a similar approach.

Female Leads - Our three main female leads come from different backgrounds, have different personalities, yet all try to challenge society's expectations of women. All three of them are smart, courageous and have very high EQs. They don't need to rely on men but use their intelligence and perseverance in making their own decisions and achieving their goals. I would not say they are all "likable" in the traditional sense. I don't think I like them as much as I have liked other strong female characters, but this might just be my personal taste.

Romance - If you are a romance junkie like me, you might be a little disappointed. We have sort of a love triangle in the beginning between two female leads and the male lead. I never find there's much chemistry between the three of them. Shen Cui Xi (played by Jiang Qin Qin) is older in age as an actress and character.
Visually, she does look older than her two love interests. Her forbidden romance with Wei Liang Gong (played by Mao Zi Jun) didn't feel right to me. Even though Wei Liang Gong is mature for his age, the age gap is too much for me to enjoy this romance, which is supposed to be a bittersweet. The romances are quite melodramatic and not passionate. I do applaud that the younger women learning how to make their own decisions about love and marriage.

Character Development - Not only our female leads learn and grow throughout the drama, all of the supporting characters do as well. As the story spans over 10 years (I think), you can see all of them started out making mistakes or questionable decisions, and learning/growing from them. None of the characters is perfect. They are flawed but that also make them real.

I thought I would like this drama more. I think in the end, I like "The Sword and Brocade" more. "Marvelous Women" does not have enough plot twists to keep me engaged, and I am missing good romantic chemistry.

Other Observations:
1) Love it when actors are using their own voices. Really makes the drama a lot of more enjoyable without annoying dubbing.
2) Very muted color tone in costumes and set designs. No bright colors.
3) Acting is great by all cast members
4) The drama could have been shorter (30-32 episodes) as I think a couple of the side plots could be eliminated
5) Two lovely theme songs and not overplayed.

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Great Pacing, Excellent Acting, Smart + Badass FL

Completed - 11/29/2021

"The Story of Yanxi" is one of those dramas that are universally praised and one should definitely check out if you enjoy historical dramas, esp. a fan of harem. I hesitated because it's 70-episode long, and the fear that it's going to drag prevented me from watching this for a long time. I am also not a big fan of harem. However, I am pleased to inform you that it has great pacing and it's not draggy at all. At times, I feel like some events actually resolve rather too quickly.

I recommend this drama for those who enjoy:
1) Historical dramas, esp. with real historical figures
2) Harem - concubines fighting for the emperor's affection and power
3) Strong and Smart characters
4) Qing Dynasty, esp. if you don't mind the bald hairstyle - took me a little bit to get used to it.
5) Revenge and Scheming

Plot - The big overall plot is about FL's investigation and seeking revenge for her sister's death. Through her journey of revenge, she entered the Forbidden City and caused all kinds of trouble. Since the drama is based on real historical figures, if you want spoilers, you can go to Wikipedia and find out what happened to most of the characters. I did look it up and though I was somewhat spoiled on some things, I also find comfort in knowing. There are many events and schemes throughout the drama by many characters. Because of this, the drama does not feel draggy at all. It's one thing after another.

Wei Ying Luo (FL)/Wu Jin Yan - This is my first drama of Wu Jin Yan's. For some reason (and it's very personal), I have a hard time liking her portrayal of Ying Luo. Ying Luo is everyone's favorite heroine. She is smart, funny, brave, loyal, cunning and ruthless. She's a strong badass character that doesn't back off and won't forget how you treat her, good or bad. But in the beginning, I found Wu Jin Yan overacted a little bit when she's intentionally trying to act cute or innocent. But once the character matured, I believed in her much more.

Ying Luo + Fu Heng Romance - This first love is sweet and loyal. Who doesn't want a man like Fu Heng. He is the ideal, dream man who is handsome, gentle, caring and understanding. Ying Luo and Fu Heng are soulmates. They understand each other and know how to support each other silently. However, I don't think there are enough scenes between the two in the beginning to make me believe that Fu Heng has fallen so madly in love with Ying Luo.

Ying Luo + Emperor Romance - This romance is much more interesting, from enemies-to-lovers, and I feel a lot more chemistry between these two, than Ying Luo with Fu Heng. I enjoy their arguments and threats. They are very similar people and match very well intellectually. They understand each other's actions and unspoken words.

Ying Luo + Empress Rong Yin Sismance - What a lovely sismance these two women have. They are so different, yet they are able to form such a strong bond. With a drama full of scheming between women, it's so nice to see a healthy and wonderful female friendship/mentorship between these two. Empress Rong Yin is one of my favorite characters and one of the saddest.

Acting - Definitely amazing acting all around. The "villains" are great and grey. You hate them (looking at you Yuan Chun Wang) but you also feel for them because they all have a background stories that are heartbreaking. I am not a big fan of the harem, so all the cat fights aren't my cup of tea, but I still enjoy this drama, and it's due to the acting of everyone. Each concubine has her own distinct personality and that makes it easier to distinguish who's who.

Production - big time production with beautiful Qing costumes for male and female characters. It did take me a little bit to get used to the bald hairdos of the guys, and not everyone looks good with it. Luckily, I do find our two male leads (Nie Yuan and Xu Kai) look quite handsome with the Qing style. The women have beautiful costumes, jewelry and accessories. The sets look grand and real. I am no historian, so I don't know whether everything is historically accurate, but I enjoy the visuals.

Other Observations:
1) Xu Kai - one of his earlier dramas. He did well enough, but not as good as compared to the veterans.
2) I've seen Charmaine Sheh in HK dramas when I was young. Wow..her acting has come a long way. She's amazing in this drama.
3) I've seen Qin Lan in "Rational Life" and found her absolutely stunning. She's beautiful here as well and such great acting. Very different compared to Charmaine Sheh but just as good.
4) I found Yuan Chun Wang (played by Wang Mao Lei) really creepy, like stalker-ish creepy especially his evil voice.

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Amazing lead chemistry + many kisses but predictable with common cliches.

Completed - 11/22/2021

"Once we Get Married" is a cute and fluffy rom-com that is very binge-watchable and a good palate cleanser after a serious show. You don't need too much brain power and can just sit back and relax. Don't expect a mind-blowing plot as it's very predictable. However, the leads have amazing chemistry and they make me smile when they do cute things. :)

I recommend this drama if you are a fan of:
1. the actors and actresses
2. enemies-to-Lovers trope
3. contract Marriage trope
4. common rom-com cliches such as, accidental kisses/hugs/falls, phone battery died at convenient times
5. nice second male lead & evil second female lead

I am a fan of #1, 2 & 3, therefore, I decide to watch this drama. I know it's not perfect but I enjoy the ride. I saw our main male lead, Wang Zi Qi, in "Imperial Coroner" and quite enjoyed his role there. In this drama, he is not as reserved and mature as his historical role, and I am glad to see a different side of him. Here, he plays the CEO who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, acting somewhat childish and petty and jealous - but looking adorable as well. It's so nice to see Wang Zi Qi in two very different roles.

I've always been a fan of contract marriage dramas, and have seen quite a few of those. Therefore, I realize that "Once We Get Married" is actually quite average. The plot is predictable and you know the challenges that our leads will face in this type of set-up. However, I really enjoy the main romance between XiXi and SiChen. They are fun when they're enemies and argue with each other. Yet it's also adorable when they start to have feelings for each other and when they actually got together. There are lots of skinship and an amazing number of kisses (doesn't mean they're good kisses, just ok). I smile ear-to-ear when I see our leads bickering and flirting.

The secondary romance between Mu Ruo Na and Shang Ke is quite boring. I don't find either character attractive and don't care for them at all. I skipped most of their parts. This romance does not add anything to the plot and feels like a romance from a different drama. There's not much interaction between the secondary romance and the main romance, until the last few episodes of the drama.

We also have our typical second male lead, Mo Zi Xin, who has been in love with our female lead for a long time. He's one of those that will do anything for our female lead, even when he's been rejected. He will support her quietly and come to her rescue whenever the male lead is not available. On the other hand, we have our evil second female lead, Ran Xi Wei, who will do anything to sabotage our lead's romance. It's actually quite annoying that she keeps on doing that from the beginning of the drama all the way to the end. It's never-ending scheming and sabotaging.

Other observations:
1. This drama has the most accidental kisses I've ever seen in a drama.
2. Is Mo Zi Xin wearing a Pikachu tie? He wears that ALL the time!
3. Did I see our leads shop at Costco for groceries?
4. When did Nana become BFFS with XiXi?
5. Our female lead doesn't dress that nicely for someone who is a fashion designer
6. Wang Zi Qi and Ian Yi look amazing in suits!!

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A slow-paced romance that gives us the happy ending we needed

9/25/2021

Just like many, I have been waiting for the happy ending after watching "One and Only". O&O is a beautiful, tragic romance where no one got a happy ending. I am eagerly waiting for Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi's happily every after. This drama is not a romantic comedy and one should not expect cute and fluffy romance and lots of kisses. Instead, I feel that it has a very similar vibe to O&O. It's mellow and romantic in its own way. The romance is developed very slowly, even though they are engaged early on in the drama. Some might find the pace too slow because of ZZC's character and his awkward dorkiness. One need to be patient for the romance to develop and it's the central part of this whole drama. I do think that the drama could have been a little shorter.

What I like:

1. Zhou Sheng Chen/Allen Ren - One of the main reasons I enjoy this drama is because I enjoy a male lead like ZSC. I have a soft spot for a ML who is a little reserved, loyal, a little dorky, and shows his affections through quiet actions and not cheesy lines. I like how ZSC could only manage to utter a few words in the beginning of the romance. Then you slowly see that he speaks in phrases, then in complete sentences and then able to joke and tease. The way he talks shows the progression of their relationship. I am a fan of Allen Ren, but I never find him super attractive unless he's in uniform. But I find him VERY attractive in this drama. He looks good in a sweatshirt, in PJs and in suits, well, and topless. He looks especially good with his wet hair :)

2. *Spoiler* Ep 23 Bathtub scene - This is the most intimate, heartbreaking and romantic scene. It breaks my heart that ZSC was devastated from his grief. I felt Shu Yi's helplessness in not knowing how to comfort him. The washing of his hair feels so intimate and comforting. I love that ZSC asks Shu Yi to hug him and she immediately climbs inside the tub and give him a big, tender, loving hug. We don't need a passionate kiss here. All we need is that quietness and understanding of each other. This scene gives me the same vibe as my favorite nose-touching scene in One and Only.

3. Main Romance - I love how Shu Yi complements ZSC so well. They are both quiet people but Shu Yi is honest and straightforward, very similar to Shu Yi in One and Only. She's the one that always initiates and shows affection first, and that's what ZSC needs. I like how inexperienced our male lead is and the way he's always trying to ask Shu Yi to teach him. I agree with Shu Yi, he is absolutely adorable in his dorky self. The romance is mature and healthy. They trust each other and there isn't any silly misunderstanding between them. I also like their subtle color-matching outfits, esp. the yellow/tan sweater that Shu Yi wears and the yellow/tan jacket that ZSC wears (he looks so good in that outfit!).

4. Acting - Of course Bai Lu and Allen Ren are amazing and have great chemistry. I enjoy the supporting cast as well, e.g. Grandma, Uncle Lin, FL's parents and Little Ren.

4. Costumes - Everyone in this drama dresses very well. Our leads have a wonderful wardrobe of casual wear, formal wear and evening wear. It's hard to find a C-drama that I agree with the costume choices, as I've seen too many oversized clothing. Bai Lu looks absolutely beautiful in everything she wears. And of course, Allen Ren, who I gushes so much about already.

5. The Sites/Cinematography - What a beautiful traditional-style big house we have in this drama. The shots of the view of the lotus pond is especially beautiful when the red lanterns were up. I love all the rooms, all the yards and especially the library. I am also glad that we get to see sights in Shanghai and Xi'An as well.

What I don't Like:

1. Reincarnation Ban - I read that China bans dramas of reincarnation and I think it affects the story-telling of this drama. For fans of One & Only, Forever and Ever lacks the connection between the two. As much as I like the dream sequences and the voice dubbing, they are not enough to provide viewers to feel the emotional connection and the leads past lives. That's why I find it hard to believe that Shu Yi would fall in love with Zhou Shen Chen at the airport because of a name.

2. Plot holes - Did ML tell FL the real reason for his proposal, that he needs to get married to inherit everything? Did I miss that part? How can a boatman not know how to swim? Didn't the crabs stay with FL's parents house and the cute dad was fanning the crabs? How come the little girl brought the crabs back to ML?

3. Lack of kisses - I did not feel that One & Only needs any kiss scene. But, I do feel that we need at least one or two more in Forever and Ever. We only get one in the car and it was going so well until it was interrupted. There were quite a few moments when I felt that a kiss will enhance the scene, e.g. when they were both soaked in the rain and got back to the hotel before their first night together. Or when they're in the snow on top of the tower before or after they whisper the "I love you"?

4. Family Drama at the end - I am not sure how I feel about the family drama in the last few episodes. It feels a little out of place.

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Trying to tell too many stories, but a VERY lovely main romance & First experience

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

Stumbled upon “Ripe for the Picking” on Netflix as it silently shows up without much fanfare. As I read the synopsis, I was expecting another over-the-top rom-com about a 30-year-old virgin and a socially awkward guy. But I was pleasantly surprised that this is lovely and heartfelt love story between two vastly different individuals.

This is a very short drama, only 9 episodes and less than 30 minutes each. I would say my biggest complaint would be too many side stories. As much as I enjoy learning each co-worker’s individual journey to love and finding themselves, they are too short and take away screen time from the leads. The leads’ love story has become an afterthought in the first few episodes, while the drama spends its precious limited time on:

A working mom trying to find work/life balance, and her own identity.
A career woman whose sole focus on work jeopardizes her personal relationships
A girl with low-esteem struggling to find love in all the wrong places and being shallow as hell.
A asexual co-worker whose story was mentioned in passing without much depth

These are all interesting stories individually, but with such limited time, they just seem to be stories that hit all the checkboxes. They are not given the proper time and effort in developing them into meaningful ones.

Having said all that, the main romance is lovely. The leads are both awkward but sweet individuals. Their encounters and subsequent development are lovely to see. Oh, and there are quite a few frustrating moments with communication, but I’ve learned to forgive them because they tug my heartstrings.

Female lead is pretty and quite successful at work, yet she hasn’t had a boyfriend since high school (hard to believe!). She’s embarrassed to be a virgin at 32 and is on a mission to sleep with someone. That drive and desire propelled her to take the initiative in approaching our socially awkward ML. I have to applaud FL’s shy forwardness because she is the one making all the moves and trying to clear all misunderstanding/miscommunication. My heart breaks for her when she was ‘rejected’ and was so confused about what happened.

But what I love best about this drama is how it gives us a sweet, awkward but very realistic portrayal of a first sexual experience. I’m glad so much care and thought are put into writing their intimate time together. It was beautiful to witness (and quite embarrassing as I feel like a voyeur). When they do open up to each other, no matter how weird and awkwardly frustrating it is, it feels honest and intimate. And special brownie points to great kisses that feel romantic, tender and a lot of desire.

This drama might not be for all, especially if you usually get upset with a lack of communication. We have some of those frustrating moments, but they get cleared up pretty fast. I had a lovely time watching this and shed some tears of (seemingly) heartbreaks for the leads.



Completed: 4/21/2024 - Review #431

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Great Acting and 80s Feel

Completed - 3/25/2022 - 8.25 rating

Before you watch Season 3, I strongly advise you to watch Seasons 1 & 2 first, otherwise, the storylines and relationships would be very difficult to follow. This is a review of all 3 seasons and not just on Season 3. I will mention who was killed in Season 1, but will NOT disclose who the murderer(s) is/are.

"Light the Night" is a drama that took place in Taipei in 1988. The series follows the stories of 6 women who work at Hikari, a Japanese nightclub (not prostitution) that caters especially to Japanese expats and also locals. Season 1 provides us with a lot of background information of the characters through flashbacks, and viewers are informed of a murder in the last few minutes of episode 8. Season 2 focuses on the murder investigation and explores each individual's relationship with their loved ones and the deceased. We also get to know the real Sue, and how she's not who she appears to be. With the final season, we have another murder that may or may not have anything to do with Sue's death.. And of course, we finally find out who the murderer is.

This is not a happy drama. It’s about life’s hardships and the consequences of our actions. None of the women came from happy families but have broken or disapproving families. Some have a much harder life than others - forced prostitution, jail time, rape, being kicked out of their homes, etc. Although we have romance storylines, this is NOT a romantic drama. There are great kisses and bed scenes, but they don’t necessarily bring happy and fluffy feelings. We do see some more romance in season 3 than season 2.

Season 3 fills in the blanks for all the missing pieces in seasons 1 & 2. And because of that, this season appears more interesting and exciting than the previous two. The pacing is better and there seems to be a little more “action” and less talking and flashbacks. In regards to the identity of the killer, I have to say the drama keeps me guessing. I am not an experienced crime/thriller watcher, so maybe I am just not smart enough. (I hope this is not a spoiler) but I should have guessed or at least guess the general direction of who the murderer is from the ending of Season 2. By the way, what happened to Wallace Huo’s character and the drug cartel in the end?

Love and obsession prompted our characters to make the wrong decisions. Jiang Han’s rejection of Sue prompted Sue to seek revenge, by devising ways to hurt those who are closest to her. The other women at Hikari also made a series of wrong decisions because they’re jealous, their love not reciprocated or they are trying to protect someone dear to them.

The acting in this drama is great. From the main characters to the supporting roles, they bring life to their very flawed characters and make you either pity them or hate them. I especially enjoy Cheryl Yang (as Sue) and Chris Wu (guest stars as Baby). Cheryl Yang brought the complicated Sue to life - the nuances in her facial expressions ranging from regal and gentle calmness, to brewing evilness under the surface. On the other hand, Chris Wu was hilarious as Baby. He’s so unrecognizable as Baby in a skinny tight suit and as Baby in drag. I love his acting and mannerism. This is my first drama of both actors. The other actors/actresses are just as good. Ruby Lin (as Rose) and Tony Yang (as Pan Wen Cheng) have great chemistry whenever they are together. Rhydian Vaughan surprises me with his portrayal of Jiang Han, and so different from his role in “Dear Diary”. However, I think the other more veteran actors did just a little better than him. All the ladies at Hikari were amazing.

If you enjoy the 80s, this is the right drama for you. Costumes, hair, makeup, music, cinematography, all feel right and authentic. The ladies put on heavy makeup when they are working at Hikari. But once off work, they all show a softer side to the audience. Aside from Ah Ji, who appears much older without makeup (as she should), all the other ladies are much more beautiful without the heavy makeup, esp. Ruby Lin. Ruby Lin is so pretty in her off-work clothes.. The heavy Hikari makeup makes her look really old.

Overall, I would recommend this drama if this is your cup-of-tea. Just know what you are getting yourself into.

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Torturous, Bloody Romances with Great Acting

Completed - 3/14/2022

I have gone back-and-forth on whether to watch this drama because I accidentally read a spoiler about the ending of a character and the mixed reviews I've seen. I am glad to take the plunge while lowering my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this drama. For a Chinese historical/wuxia fantasy drama, 36 episodes are quite short. So if it's not amazing, I am not wasting too much time. Since I didn't watch this drama when it was aired, I wasn't sure how popular it was. It does seem to be a little underrated and not being recommended enough. For a small budget production, the quality of set designs, props and costumes are well done. "Bloody Romance" has a 7.1 Douban rating, which is pretty good, but only 8.0 on MDL which is considered only decent.

What I Enjoy:

1. Li Yi Tong as Wan Mei (FL) - Li Yi Tong is such an amazing and pretty actress. She has such wide range when portraying the growth and experience of Wan Mei. This role allows Li Yi Tong to express feelings of hope, sadness, desperation, love, revenge and success. She was so cute and innocent in the beginning, esp. when she first fell in love with Chang An. Her beautiful eyes conveyed the sorrow and hurt when she realized promises weren't kept. The heartbreaking reunion scene in ep 16 was amazing.

2. Qu Chu Xiao as Chang An (ML) - This is my first introduction to Qu Chu Xiao. He might not have the classic handsome look to be the main lead of this drama, but he suited the role of Chang An so well. I think Qu Chu Xiao looks better in modern dramas, instead of historical ones. Playing the shadow, I am most impressed with the way he talks, moves and postures as the submissive shadow. There’s something about his voice that makes him the perfect shadow (he uses his own voice in this drama). Chang An is a stoic and more serious character, and doesn’t provide Qu Chu Xiao the opportunity to widely express his feelings, as much as the role of Gong Zi. I think his acting is pretty good but when compared to a powerhouse like Li Yi Tong, it does pale in comparison a little.

3. Wang Duo as Gong Zi (2ML) - It’s hard to not have second lead syndrome when Wang Duo acted so well as Gong Zi. Gong Zi is such a gray character that he would make an amazing sole male lead in another historical drama. As much as I love Chang An, I can’t deny Gong Zi also has amazing chemistry with Wan Mei. This is my first drama of Wang Duo and I am impressed with his acting. Playing the role of Gong Zi provided Wang Duo an amazing opportunity to flex his acting chops. Gong Zi reminds me of Rong Xi, Luo Yun Xi’s character in “Princess Silver”, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Gong Zi is such a mysterious character that you have to guess if he really cares for Wan Mei, or if it’s all part of his schemes.

4. “Bloody Romance” is a small budget production. However, the cinematography, costumes, set designs and props all look good and believable. It’s much better than other big budget dramas I’ve seen, e.g. “Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities”. I love the opening theme song, "Waiting For You (一生等你)" sung by Tia Ray. It just sets the mood for you to watch this drama. The rest of the songs are just as lovely, with complementary background music that doesn’t overshadow dialogs. The use of comics for storytelling is also interesting and well-done. Due to Li Yi Tong’s character, there’s quite a bit of dancing in this drama performed by her. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and you could tell she’s in her element. She looks beautiful and mesmerizing!

5. General Plot - I quite like the general plot and the main romances of this drama. We follow the journey of our female lead from when she was first sold by her father to becoming the strongest of all. Along the way, she learned and grew and also had two amazing guys vying for her affection. We have Chang An would support and protect her no matter the cost. And we have Gong Zi who protects her in his own scheming, unconventional way.

What I Don’t Enjoy As Much:

1. Inconsistencies/plot holes - I enjoy the general plot of the drama but I feel that some scenes or stories could use a little more time to show us or elaborate on what happened. I am unsure if the drama was cut short, thus we have editing issues. I definitely feel that the pacing is done so well that it could be extended to 40 episodes. There are other minor inconsistencies/weirdness:
= An assassin that never kills when she’s on a mission
= Wan Mei is given so many chances to fight for her life within the first 5 episodes
= Gong Zi forgot to act blind for a while
= Xing Feng’s scar seems to change color every so often

2. Liu Guang’s voice - I cannot stand the voice of Puff Kuo’s character, Liu Guang. She sounded like a little girl when she’s supposedly a powerful Supreme assassin. I can’t picture Puff Kuo’s beautiful, mature face with a whiny voice.

3. CGI/Fight Scene - While I praised the production quality above, the CGI is quite mediocre. I like the light effect of the blood bugs, when it’s the dream/hypnosis sequence by Cha Luo, the CGI is really bad. I guess with a small budget, something’s gotta give. CGI is also used in some fight scenes, but they also look fake. The fight choreography is fine but they also rely on slow motion fighting. The actual fights weren’t very exciting. As much as I love seeing Li Yi Tong dance, when she is waving her sword, there isn’t enough power. She fights like she’s dancing as well.

Other Observations:
1. Good acting all around
2. The King reminds me of Willy Wonka
3. I feel bad for the actresses with their thin costumes. I see steam coming out of their mouths when they’re speaking.
4. Though I enjoy the matriarchal society/organization, the major scheming is still done by men.
5. I LOVE the reunion scene in ep 16, but the reconciliation scene is too anti-climatic.
6. If you watch this drama on YouTube, the titles of the episodes could be minor spoilers

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Flawed and Unlikeable Characters brought us Amazing Stories and Moments

*update*. I have a little time to process and am lowering the rating down to 9.0 instead of 9.5.

Completed - 5/23/2022 - my love for Mr. Gu bumped the rating to 9.5

I am really surprised that I like this drama so much. I am never one to root for annoying and unlovable characters, and they never bring me joy. Slice-of-life dramas are a hit-or-miss to me as I often find them very slow. However, “My Liberation Notes” excels in telling amazing and touching stories of very flawed characters, and in the end, you grow to care for them. You should know what you are getting yourself into, in order to enjoy this drama. You either love it, or hate it. I can’t say I relate to the characters on a personal level or that they are ‘realistic’, but their stories touch me nonetheless. Thus, a rare high rating for me for a slow-paced, mature slice-of-life drama.

A few things to know before delving into the drama:
- This drama is not a happy drama, but has unforgettable comedic moments.
- Does not give you warm and fluffy romantic feelings - but has moments that make you smile.
- You will find the characters annoying in the beginning, or maybe throughout the drama.
- The drama uses a lot of silence - gives viewers the time to feel and breathe.
- Dialogues and Monologues can provoke deep thoughts (even during silly, comedic moments).

“My Liberation Notes” focuses on the three Yeong siblings and their family.

Yeom Ki Jung - The eldest of the three siblings, Ki Jung is probably my least favorite sibling. I find her annoying and that feeling subsides a little in the middle of the drama, but in the end, I still dislike her the most. As someone who is 40 years old, she acts very immaturely. However, you can say that she portrays a hopeless romantic beautifully, as there are many people out there who are just like her - want to be crazily in love with the most perfect person. But after you reach a certain point, you become desperate enough to want to just be with anyone. She wears her heart on her sleeves, displays all her emotions outwardly and uncontrollably. Her story has a strong focus on romance and her relationship with Jo Tae Hoon. In the end, I still am not sure they are the right fit for each other, and if Tae Hoon can really give Ki Jung what she wants.

Yeom Chang Hee - the brother who I am most annoyed with in the beginning. But he’s also the one that has grown the most and I root for him in the end. Chang Hee is loud and can’t help but criticize everyone and everything. He gives off a lot of negative energy. However, his crazy outbursts also have a lot of insightful truths. You realize he actually is really smart, although life hasn’t gone his way. His casual and funny conversations with his buddies often enlighten us with important life lessons. He also provides a lot of comic relief, especially when it comes to his relationship with Mr. Gu. The way he looks up to Mr. Gu, even though technically they are not close at all, is quite fascinating and hilarious. Chang Hee’s story focuses more on his career than the other two siblings. He might not seem dependable, but as he said, he’s psychic. He’s always somewhere at the right place and the right time, up until the last scene for him in the drama. I am happy for him.

Yeom Mi Jung - the youngest of the siblings and the one that probably has the most screen time due to his relationship with Mr. Gu. Mi Jung is just one weird, lonely, depressed and dysfunctional human being. I am not sure if such a person really exists in real life (one that has ALL of her traits). The drama does get into stories about her family, career and relationships. Although I do not relate to her at any level, her story is fascinating to me, maybe because we are just so different. We barely hear her talk in the first few episodes. But once she starts to open up to Mr. Gu, WOW, fascinating and weird stuff comes out of her mouth, unfiltered. Her conversations with Mr. Gu are to die for. They are just so unique and profound in a way. I am glad she met Mr. Gu.

Gu Ja Gyeong - the mysterious Mr. Gu is so attractive and ruggedly sexy that I can’t take my eyes off him. There’s just something about him or how Son Seok Koo plays this character. His aloofness, smirks, and endearing glances at Mi Jung totally melt my heart. This manly man has to be one of my favorite K-drama characters of all time. He’s so quiet for most of the dramas, but the microexpressions on his face speak volumes. His silence with different characters does not seem awkward at all, but just how things are supposed to be this quiet with him. Mr. Gu is the perfect soulmate for Mi Jung. They are on the same wavelength and just understand each other so well, even though they come from very different backgrounds. In the last episode, I wish for a happy ending for him and Mi Jung, but I can’t help expecting he’s going to die either because of his work or alcoholism.

This review is getting long. But let me just say that the acting is top notch here for all actors. I’ve seen Lee Min Ki and Kim Ji Won in many of their previous works, but they are so different here. Big props to them for branching and doing such a great job. Everything feels so real in this drama - no fancy clothes, makeup, or beautiful smooth skin. Commuting to work and worrying about missing the last train is hard. There are many great dynamics between different characters, especially the Liberation Club.


Other Random Observations:
1. The word “Worship” has a whole new meaning.
2. Mr. Gu looks hot in fancy suits and dirty clothes - I kept on waiting to see him topless. LOL
3. Weird stories such as pick-up girl and frogs are highlights of the show.
4. The depressed and serious vibes can change all of a sudden due to very memorable comedic moments.
5. Mr. Gu and his club scenes are probably my least favorite moments of this drama.
6. Did I mention I ❤️ Mr. Gu? 😍

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Not good enough to be a great political, romance, or Novaland Wuxia/Xianxia drama

Completed - 12/25/2021

I am disappointed that I don't love "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse". I have such high expectations for this big production historical drama with Yang Mi, William Chan and Xu Kai Cheng. It took me about 15 episodes to get into the story and overall acting and leads chemistry are lacking. I feel that it tries to have everything in this drama - court politics, romance, friendship/loyalty, wars/battles - but it doesn't excel in any of them.

Acting
I can't help but keep on comparing William Chan to Allen Ren in "One & Only". Allen Ren has such big expressive eyes that he can convey his emotions really well, even when he played a self-controlled, reserved general who can't express his love for Bai Lu. On the other hand, William Chen has dead and bored eyes for most of the drama, except for the last couple episodes. His eyes are unable to convey how tortured he felt inside. And unfortunately, that makes his character even less likable to start. I did not root for him for the most part. Fortunately in the last couple episodes, he was able to portray a more free-spirited Jiang Ming and a really sad one in the end. Yang Mi did fine as she always does. I wouldn't say she was excellent, but fine. This my first Xu Kai Cheng drama and I felt that he overacted a little bit in the beginning when he was this crazy king. He toned it down later on and I start to enjoy his acting more. The other supporting cast was fine but not excellent.

Romance
I thought romance is a big driving force for this drama. We have 3 different romance storylines, but I am not satisfied with either of them.
*** Hai Shi (FL) and Jiang Ming (ML) - I don't feel their chemistry at all. I am supposed to root for them and to suffer with them. But in the end, I didn't feel anything. Although they are both smart, their romance is built on secrets. ML might have FL's best interest at heart, but this secretive protectiveness lasts too long. It didn't make for good drama and didn't make me root for their happily-ever-after ending.
***Emperor Di Xu (2ML) and Ti Lan (2FL) - their relationship started of as abusive and it was hard to watch. I understand why so many condemn such a romance. I might be a little more forgiving and I understand 2ML's heartbreaking past and also being the all-power emperor. I actually enjoyed their romance in the first half of the drama more than the main romance. I like that 2FL, though quiet, has the internal strength and stubbornness to passive-aggressively fight with 2ML. But the romance went downhill once 2FL forgave the emperor's wrongdoings too easily. She should have waited and let him beg for her mercy or at least use actions to show that he's sorry. But no, 2FL forgive and forget and move on. Then she becomes a useless character for the rest of the drama lost her little spunk.
***Zhuo Ying (3ML) and Zhe Liu (3FL) - I really like their sweet and innocent romance. They were a breath of fresh air when the other two romances are disappointing. Unfortunately, the drama did not give them the proper goodbye in the end. I wanted to see how they re-unite but it was all glossed over. I wanted to see more of them!

Bromance
This bromance between ML and 2ML is the best part of the show. It's deep, complex, frustrating and saddening. I enjoy scenes when the two of them are together. First when 2ML is always angry and ML has to calm him down. Then as we know more of their friendship, the dynamics becomes more entertaining. I think they have the best chemistry, even better than with their love interests.

Court Politics
***spoiler****
The reveal of the fake prince is underwhelming. Actually, he wasn't a good villain to begin with. Then at the end, how General Tang can so easily be deceived in rebelling is so dumb. He's supposed to be a great General, and he didn't care to do his own investigation and just blindly believe? I thought he had something evil brewing from the start, but there's nothing!

Production Quality, etc
It is without a doubt a drama with money. The costumes, accessories, and sets are elaborate and beautiful. That's why I was disappointed when the execution isn't there. We do not see cheap fabric or flimsy sets. We see beautiful rooms with wooden fixtures and soft candle lighting. It also has decent CGI with the sharks and mermaid. The OST sounds nice but not too memorable. I do appreciate that they don't overplay the theme songs nor use the BGM to force me to think and feel a certain way. As part of the Novoland universe, I was hoping to see more fight scenes. In the first few episodes, they had simple and slow-motion fights. A few better fight and battle scenes sprinkled throughout the drama, but not enough to satisfy my wuxia/xianxia thirst. The only "Novoland" part of this drama is the mermaid. I guess it might be too much to ask for the Winged Clan. It seems like almost all actors and actresses use their own voices, except for William Chan. People complain about Yang Mi's voice not being the same as in her other dramas. I guess fans are disappointed that she has such a young voice. I am all for actors using their own voices, but I do have to admit it was quite distracting and annoying to hear Yang Mi's young voice when she's supposed to be a boy/man. Her voice does sound deeper when she became a soldier/general. I also find the voice and the way Zi Lan (3FL) talks a little annoying.

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I shake my head and roll my eyes throughout the drama - Messy and Too much going on

If this were a full-length drama, I would have given this a less than 5 rating. I am going to be a little more forgiving as this is a low budget drama. But this drama still cannot be compared to another web drama, “Provoke”. “Provoke” is so much better.

The plot here is ridiculous and full of plot holes and unrealistic ‘twists’. They try to jam too many things into this short drama. I think a fake/contract marriage + enemies-to-lovers + revenge should be more than enough. But no, they added politics. The acting is decent, and the leads are a good-looking pair. The chemistry is pretty good in the beginning but the leads got together way too early and then the chemistry is gone. We do have a couple (not enough) shirtless hot abs scenes, but not passionate or good kisses (FL needs to work harder). The cinematography and production value aren’t that great, more on par with “Maid’s Revenge”. I am blinded by the super bright/white backlighting and camera flashes.

I can’t help but shake my head and roll my eyes when watching this. The good-looking male lead and the pretty female lead are not enough for me to recommend this drama. I have to force myself to finish watching. I enjoy watching this LESS than “Maid’s Revenge”, even though it’s about the same quality. So, I feel I need to rate “My Everlasting Bride” a 6.5 and not a 7.0.


Completed: 9/19/2023 - Review #356

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Watch it for Romance/Obsession or Dylan/Peter - But not for Revenge or Palace Politics

Subjective Gut Rating - 7.75

“Unchained Love” has such an interesting and unique general plot that unfortunately the writing and editing did not deliver. The lure of a forbidden love between a eunuch and the emperor’s woman, with revenge in the backdrop, seems to be such an amazing story. I missed the comedy tag, as I thought this would be a serious, heart-wrenching story of love and revenge. The comedy in the first few episodes threw me off a little, and the revenge plot is a disappointment. Having said that, I did have an enjoyable time watching the drama, thus I am rounding this up to an 8.0. If I solely based on the plot disappointment and the sloppy and illogical writing, this would be a 7.0-7.5.

What I Like:

1. Smart Lead Characters - I really enjoy the first third of the drama when the leads are trying to outsmart each other and then form an unlikely and unwilling alliance. I am a fan of smart female leads who can hold their own and be on the same intelligence level as the male leads. I found Bu Yin Lou (FL) has some similar characteristics to Cheng Shao Shang in “Love like the Galaxy”. They are both smart but have to hide their true self due to their upbringing. Similarly, Xiao Duo (ML) is similar to Ling Bu Yi in “Love like the Galaxy” as well. They both appear to be ruthless and cunning and are out to seek revenge, but love their women tremendously, in very different ways. Maybe that’s why I like “Unchained Love” because of these strong characters and similarities. I cannot stand a dumb female lead anymore, or one that is innocent and naive. But the similarities of both dramas end there. “Love like the Galaxy” is a much more well-written drama.

2. Acting - Well, Chen Yu Qi might have overacted a little in the beginning during her comedy parts when portraying Bu Yin Lou’s outgoing personality. But for the most part and especially after the first third of the drama, I do find her convincing. I was never a big critic of hers and found her acting decent. I am actually glad to see this funnier side of her acting, since her other roles I’ve seen are more serious or standoffish. Most of us probably watch this drama because of Dylan Wang. And yes, he plays the ruthless Xiao Duo very well. Though I am not a fan of how his character becomes a love sick puppy, that’s not his fault. He acted well. But the actors that shine in this acting category are the veterans Peter Ho (as Murong Gao Gong/Emperor) and Zeng Li (as Empress Rong An). Many have sung praises for Peter Ho in this drama and he indeed is excellent. It’s an amazing journey to follow his character’s change in this drama. Zeng Li is the only main character that uses her own voice, and I think that is why I like her acting. Coming off her other memorable performance in “Love like the Galaxy” (oh, another reference to LLTG), her acting here is more manic but also nuanced. The rest of the supporting cast did a fine job but no one stands out against the main four.

3. Production value - I don’t think this is a S+ production, but everything looks nice. It has good solid sets in the palace and also in all the houses. The props, fixtures, and furniture look good and sturdy; and nothing looks cheap. The costumes are beautiful and women’s hair accessories are tasteful without feeling overdone. The men also look good and handsome in their costumes. Dylan Wang really looks good in all his attire. Oh, except for the bad makeup for the women - too white and cakey.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

1. Dubbing - I am disappointed that 3 out of 4 main characters are dubbed. I recently saw Chen Yu Qi in “Hi Venus” and “Story of Fox Valiant” and she wasn’t dubbed. I still remember her voice and when she speaks in this drama, I couldn’t place her face with the voice. Peter Ho is probably dubbed because of his Taiwanese accent, but for such an experienced actor, it would feel so much better if I can hear his voice when he’s going all crazy. I think all Dylan Wang’s historical dramas are dubbed, so I wasn’t surprised. At least I heard his real voice in “The Rational Life”. But when you look at the major supporting cast, it seems like most of them are using their own voices. Then, why dubbed the leads???

2. Action scenes - This is not a wuxia drama, so I won’t judge the action scenes too harshly. There are some fun scenes and they definitely make Dylan Wang look good. However, I do feel that they are somewhat overexaggerated and theatrical. The flips and jumps were overdramatic and the wire work wasn’t done well. There are a few scenes especially in the last 5 episodes that it was too unrealistic to have someone standing there, everything in slow motion, and the killing just stopped. Well, I think a certain character should have been dead a long time after being pulled by 5 horses. Instead he’s just suspended in the air for a long time. This is also why I criticize the writing of this drama.

3. Main Romance - I think the chemistry between Chen Yu Qi and Dylan Wang isn’t bad. But because I was expecting more angst, a more tortured romance that I feel something is missing. I was hoping for more longing looks and loving gazes but I ended up getting some pretty open looks and hang outs together. They spend so much time together that it doesn’t seem like a forbidden romance anymore. How can no one out of their small circle see that something fishy is happening? How can the suspicious emperor not suspect something sooner? Of course, for many romance lovers, all these happy and cute scenes are a plus. I was just expecting something different.

What I Don’t Like:

1. Writing/Editing - It is probably due to censorship, or just bad writing/editing that the second half of the drama doesn't make as much sense. It was especially bad for me in the last ⅓ of the drama with the romance plot. In one scene, FL was questioning if ML really likes her and she hasn’t realized her feelings yet. In the next scene, they both spend the night together and they are outright in love with each other? The couple's intimate scenes and dialogs were cut out, and this really affected the flow of the romance. We learned of certain conversations/events via a few flashbacks. FL has been portrayed as smart and cautious throughout the drama, but for the sake of convenience, let’s have her make dumb and careless mistakes so that the emperor can finally find out the big secret. What sloppy writing for this big reveal! Our leads have so many opportunities throughout the drama to elope, but they never did. And when that finally happened, it was just that easy to get out and leave the palace without being detected.

2. Pacing - I think this drama has a strong start in the first ⅓. But in the middle, the drama slows down. I would have thought that the last ⅓ would pick up the pace as that’s when all the revenge, reveal and action take place. But unfortunately, I find these episodes slow. It’s a lot of talking in circles, waiting for something to happen but didn’t really happen.

3. Revenge - On the one hand, I understand Xiao Duo’s realization that ‘an eye for an eye’ might not be the way to go. However, after spending 6 years plotting for a revenge (we’re told but we haven’t seen much), the ending to the revenge plot is very anti-climatic. You fall for a woman, and you throw that rage out the door pretty quickly. I really dislike a male lead who was so determined in the beginning and then became a lovesick puppy in the end. Dylan’s character in “Love between Fairy and Devil” was like that, and here in “Love Unchained’ is the same. That’s why Xiao Duo’s revenge can't hold a candle to Ling Bu Yi’s in LLTG.

Do I recommend this drama? I would if you are in it for Dylan Wang or Peter Ho. “Unchained Love” is a drama about forbidden love and obsession in love. Do not watch this for the revenge plot or palace politics. If you are a romance lover and can throw some logic out the window, I think this could be a very enjoyable watch.


Completed: 2/20/23

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Only watch if you have a HIGH tolerance for annoying, pouty, & fake innocent main characters.

Completed - 7/13/2022 - 7.75 (rounding up instead of down because of Ady An and Jeremy Tsui)

*warning - hard to write this review without spoilers - so read at your own risk*

“The Legend of Dugu” centers around the three Dugu sisters and the Dugu prophecy. This drama spans about 30-40 years, from when the sisters were only teenage daughters of the Minister of Northern Zhou to become mothers and empresses. Each sister feels differently about this prophecy and chooses different ways of life because of it. My biggest warning to future watchers is that, if you have a LOW tolerance for annoying, pretentious, pouty, despicable villains as main characters, you might not have a pleasant time watching this. I am OK with such a character in a supporting role, but as one of the main leads, I have to endure such hatred that I almost quit this show.

What I Like:

1. Dugu Ban Ruo/Ady An - The eldest sister of the Dugu clan, Ban Ruo is a badass. She’s smart, independent, harsh, ruthless, and scheming. She took the Dugu prophecy at heart and will do anything to be the Dugu to rule the world. She’s such an interesting gray character and I can’t help but admire her. Her goal never changes, even when against the love of her life and the road that led her demise. Despite her ruthlessness, the sismance between Ban Ruo and Jia Luo and how she puts family first were central to the plot. This is my first time watching Ady An and she was amazing as Ban Ruo. Out of the three sisters, she’s the only one that makes it believable to portray a teenager/young adult all the way to being a mother and empress. She carries herself with such grace that she reminded me of Qin Lan

2. Yuwen Hu/Jeremy Tsui - Playing against Ban Ruo is the handsome Yuwen Hu played by Jeremy Tsui. Unfortunately, his voice is dubbed so we can’t listen to his deep and sexy voice. But, we can still stare at his handsome face and expressive big eyes. He’s so good as our villain that you can't help but love him instead of hate him. His undying and obsessive love for Ban Ruo is one of the best things about this drama.

3. Romance: Ban Ruo + Yuwen Hu - They are not meant to be, given their family backgrounds and political positions. But their chemistry is sizzling. Whether it’s a good or bad thing, they are two peas in a pod and are so similar. Even though they are so in love with each other, nothing stands between them and their hunger for power. Ban Ruo’s wedding night was ‘WOW’. The way she stood up to Yuwen Hu and put him in his right place was well-acted by both. Ban Ruo is a badass and she keeps me guessing whether she still loves Yuwen Hu at the end.

4. Jia Luo’s Wedding night - Without giving too much away, the story behind the masked groom and all that happened inside and outside the tent was so touching.

5. Costumes - Such beautiful and patterned costumes for both men and women. For some reason, I think all the clothes the women wear seem to be too big, but beautiful nonetheless. I also really like the black/gold court official uniforms. They reminded me of my favorite red/black ones in “The Rebel Princess”. There are four weddings in this drama, and each bride has bright red and/or green wedding gowns and golden headdresses. The headdresses are intricately designed and royal/grand. I also see some of the tallest hairstyles and elaborate hair accessories on the women.


What I have Mixed Feelings about:

1. Pacing - I am not sure if I should categorize the pace to be slow or just OK. I think the first 25 episodes have pretty good pacing. A lot happened and my favorite romance also takes center stage here. Then it seems to have slowed down a little but it might be due to the fact that my least favorite character is taking up too much screen time. Then the last 5 episodes seem to be too fast and I wanted more episodes.

2. Romance: Jia Luo + Yang Jian - The chemistry is a little iffy. I waited for a long time for their romance to officially start and for some good push and pull. But things are resolved too quickly and they fall in love too fast. They actually seem more like friends or siblings but not lovers or romantic partners.

3. Different ages: Jia Luo and Mantuo - Hu Bing Qing has such a young face that I believe her when she plays the 15-year old Jia Luo. However, it’s hard to believe her as the empress and a mother of a teenager. Towards the last few episodes when she’s in the same scenes with her daughter, I think her daughter looks like an older sister. She’s quite petite, and she doesn’t carry herself with as much grace as Ady An as the empress. On the opposite end, Li Yi Xiao looks a little too old to be a teenager in the beginning episodes. She is a lot more believable after she’s married and scheming against the concubines.


What I Don’t Like:
1. Dugu Man Tuo - This is very personal, as I really can’t stand her fake pouty and innocent face. As Man Tuo is a main character being one of the three sisters, there is a significant amount of screen time devoted to her journey. Her scheming becomes repetitive as she uses almost the same method to get rid of people she doesn’t like or in her way. The worst thing is that she lasted throughout the drama and didn’t really die until the very last episode. It seems so unfair sometimes when I had wished Ban Ruo would have lasted that long. I guess I should credit Lil Yi Xiao’s acting for making me hate her so much!

2. Yang Jian - It’s rare for me to not like the main male lead of a historical drama. He’s OK at first, but then he loses his charms. This is my first Andy Zhang’s drama and he’s a veteran, so I am not sure if it’s because I don’t like his acting or the writing of his character. Yang Jian is not charismatic or charming enough for me to like him.

3. Kisses - ALL the kisses are bad in this drama. It doesn’t matter if it’s a kiss on the cheek, forehead or lips, they all make me feel uncomfortable watching. Very disappointing.

4. Dubbing - Another reason why I dislike Man Tuo so much is the voice actor that dubs her voice. That voice is annoying!! Moreover, I actually don’t like much of the voices of many of the characters. How I wish they didn’t dub Jeremy Tsui.

5. Bad CGI - The CGI of animals is one of the worst I’ve seen, esp when the drama is only 4 years old. The green screen scenes are also not believable and you can totally see how fake they are.


Other Random Observations:
1. There’s such a big contrast between Ban Ruo + Yuwen Hu’s romance and Jia Luo + Yuwen Yun’s romance, and each couple’s last scenes together. The circumstances and the feelings are so different, yet so memorable.
2. Also a big contrast of their wedding night scenes.
3. A drama full of lovebirds who can’t marry who they want.
4. The last conflict between Jia Luo and Yang Jian broke my heart. It’s not because of the incident, but how Yang Jian reacted afterwards.
5. Yang Jian is supposedly smart but he falls for Man Tuo’s tricks so many times.
6. Who does Man Tuo love more in the end - Yuwen Hu or Yuwen Wei?
7. Who does Jia Luo love more in the end - Yang Jiang or Yuwen Yun?
8. Power can make you lose your mind and forget promises….which you will regret later on.


Wow… this is a long review. Thank you for reading if you made it to the end.

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Completed - 3/6/2022

When “Bad Buddy” was airing, the MDL feeds were spammed with comments, screenshots, reviews, and everyone was praising this drama. I thought I would pick this to be my first Thai drama (I ended up watching “I Told Sunset About You” first). Maybe the expectations were too high, and I fail to see how the drama could justify a high 8.6 rating. As reviews are very subjective, please do not hate me for not loving it (I like it OK). I am a new Thai drama watcher, so maybe I am not getting some of the cultural or BL references/biases. I am judging this based on my enjoyment level.

What I Enjoy:

General Plot - I do enjoy this modern and BL take of “Romeo and Juliet”. Even though for the most part, I was confused about why the two families hate each other so much. The reasons given in the beginning of the show didn’t seem to justify the animosity. But I like the premise and how our main leads break that tradition. I enjoy the development of how Pat and Pran compete with each other since childhood. This sense of competition never goes away, even when they become lovers. I have always been a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope and I think the transition of the different stages of their relationship is done relatively well.

Chemistry - Pat and Pran really do have great chemistry together. I love their bickering and the continued competition throughout their relationship. This I-am-not-losing-to-you spirit adds spice to their chemistry.. I like the embarrassed and twist-my-arm looks that Pran always has on his face. I also like the smitten looks that Pat has when he’s looking at Pran. They complement each other very well. Their few emotional scenes were done really well. The couple gives off a very rom-com vibe - cute, fluffy, sweet and fun. However, at some point, the flirting became a little too much (more in the negative section below).

Love who you want - I am not sure if other Thai BL dramas are like this, but this drama doesn’t make a big deal when someone is in a homosexual relationship. We have heterosexual, gay, lesbian couples in this drama. No one was alarmed, no one was criticizing or judging. It’s giving a message of “I don’t care who you love as long as you are happy”. It’s different from “I Told Sunset About You’. There’s no coming out of the closet angst, stigma or prejudice. We really need more drama like this to present a healthy, supportive message to the world.

Songs - I like all the songs in this drama. I always look forward to scenes when Pran picks up the guitar and sings.


What I Don’t Enjoy:

Excessive Flirting+Shirtless Pat = Fan service - I love flirting as much as the next romance watcher. However, the flirting in this drama is excessive and cringey to me. A whole episode was dedicated just to the leads’ flirting before they are officially an item. At times, I also find Pat annoying when he keeps on pestering Pran and just repeating these cringey love lines. I wish the drama had toned down on the flirting, and focused a little more on the family drama/history and not just waited till the last couple episodes. Additionally, are we having too many shirtless scenes of Pat? Don’t get me wrong, he’s hot and has a great body and I do enjoy seeing this handsome guy. But I feel like the excessive flirting and shirtless scenes are just for fan service to create buzz when the show is airing. It “cheapens’ the quality of the drama.

Faculty Rivalry - I also feel that the drama spends too much time on the Architecture/Engineering rivalry. These college students are acting like high school kids, with no self-control whatsoever. When you get busted so many times, it’s time to think before you act. With the excessive flirting and rivalry scenes, the drama could be cut down to 10 episodes only.

Product Placement - There are so many products being advertised in this drama. We have the usual suspects of drinks and snacks. I’ve never seen a printer advertisement by a male lead before (I guess we still need to change ink cartridges these days), and the multiple scenes of our leads cleaning each other’s face with makeup remover.


Other Observations:
1. Pat’s father looks Chinese and his character’s name is Ming. It’s also interesting to see him reading a Chinese newspaper.
2. Do Thai beers really have such light color and no foam at all?
3. The ending is good enough for me and we don’t need a Season 2. Love the subtle acknowledgment of the parents.
4. To show that the kids are adults, you just need to get their hair styled back - no more hanging fringes.
5. My first time seeing and listening to a Thai Xylophone. It sounds great!

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Hilarious, Good Acting and Great Chemistry - Shut down your brain to enjoy this Slapstick Comedy

In order to enjoy “Egg and Stone” or not to be disappointed, there are a few things you should know. Sometimes, It’s important to set your expectations and know what you are getting yourself into.

1. This is a COMEDY first and foremost. Not just any comedy but stupid, crazy, over-the-top slapstick comedy.
2. Do not expect this to be a wuxia drama. The setting is in the pugilistic world/jiang wu, but wuxia elements are scarce and fight scenes are limited, and not very well-choreographed.
3. Romance is also a big focus, more so than mystery or investigation.
4. This is a low budget production - do not expect fancy costumes, sets or hair/make up.
5. You need to shut down your brain for some crazy fun.

If you are not OK with the above-mentioned points, then I will dissuade you from watching “Egg and Stone”. Unless you are a big fan of the actors, and are on a mission to watch every single one of their dramas.

Having said that, I lowered my expectations and waited for the right mood to watch this drama. I had a lot of fun watching it, and also laughed out loud at many moments. Of course, I rolled my eyes as well and wondered why established actors such as Xu Lu, Caesar Wu and Riley Wang signed up for such a project. Are they being blackmailed by their companies, or do they owe the director a big favor? Or maybe they just want something different and have some fun with friends?

I do applaud the actors for diving right into their roles and do not mind acting silly and ridiculous. I actually think the acting of the cast is a big strength of this drama. To be honest, there are quite a few sad and emotional scenes, and I was so touched that I actually shed a few tears. Less experienced actors might not be able to pull this off.

The drama follows the journey of female lead, Huo Xing Chen, and her dream of helping the weak in the pugilistic world. She doesn’t want to follow the traditional role of a woman, getting married and staying home. This is quite a feminist drama in a way. She was met with opposition from the men in her life at first, but she slowly persuaded them and also fell in love with someone who believed in her and supported her dream.

I enjoyed the romance between the leads quite a bit. Xu Lu and Caesar Wu have great chemistry and are so fun when they have scenes together. I like the development of their romance, not too fast and not too slow. Jiang Bu Ting has become one of my favorite male leads, especially in comedies. Not only is he good-looking, he’s smart, funny, and shy-cute. But most importantly, he’s the one who believes and persuades FL to follow her dreams. He supports her but doesn’t spoil her. He allows her to make mistakes and learn the hard way, but secretly protects her. There’s enough romance throughout the drama to keep me happy. I do wish they give me more than dead fish kisses. I’ve seen them in other dramas and they could both deliver! I blame the director.

Riley Wang really needs to pick other roles where he’s not the third wheel in a love triangle. I feel bad for him as an actor, and also the character. I was dreading the direction that his character is going, but was fine after knowing the whole backstory. The secondary romance is cute and adorable, but could have been better. Jiang Bu Ying is so dumb, cute and funny.

I think the weakness of this drama is the more serious plot. The mystery and investigation parts are not written very well, and this is mostly towards the second half of the drama. There are inconsistencies and plot holes, and a lot is told to the viewers and instead of shown. I actually got bored and was distracted.

Another weakness is the production quality. You can tell this is a low budget production. The same two songs are played all the time. The actors wear the same outfits in each scene. If you are a main character, you might have 2-4 outfits, otherwise, you wear the same thing every day. On the one hand, it’s a nice change to see actors not getting the smooth-faced, white filter treatment. You can clearly see the makeup not done perfectly or if anyone has unsmooth skin. On the other hand, in some close shots, I do wish the filter is on. Luckily, the actors dubbed their own voices. This makes the funny scenes even more fun. I think dubbing would mess with the comedic timing. However, I can’t stand the fake Cantonese-Mandarin accent of one supporting character. It bugs me quite a bit, since I speak Cantonese.

Overall, I had a lot of fun watching this drama. I can’t totally turn my brain off, thus, I can’t bring myself to give “Egg and Stone” higher than an 8.0. There are still things that bug me, but this is definitely a lot more fun than I thought. I am glad to re-discover Caesar Wu and I look forward to his future dramas. Xu Lu also surprises me and I can’t help but compare her to Li Qin in “Thousand Years for You” (Xu Lu is better). I will recommend this drama to you if you enjoy slapstick comedies and are looking for a stress-relief drama. Just shut down your brain and enjoy the craziness.


Completed: 1/14/2024 - Review #394

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Short and easy watch with delicious food scenes

“Nagatanto to Aoto: Ichika no Ryourijou” also known as “Kitchen Knife and Green Chili Pepper” is a sweet, slice of life drama about a female chef’s fight to keep her family restaurant open due to financial difficulties. In order to save the restaurant, she has to marry a 19-year-old student, 15 years her junior. This sounds like a HUGE age gap, and it is. However, the drama does not give me an icky feeling due to this age difference.

Amane (ML) is way mature for his age and luckily, Ichika (FL) is not written as an innocent and irritating older woman. You really only feel the support Amane has for Ichika. He is there to push her to challenge her limits and to believe in her talents. He supports her by managing the business side of things, so that she can focus on her creativity in cooking. The duo complements each other. In the backdrop is 1951 Japan after the war. Ichika challenges the tradition of only male chefs in the kitchen and fights the prejudice against women. the drama shows us a glimpse of the struggles of Japanese women after the war.

The romance develops naturally and sweetly. It’s not the focus of the drama, but it’s enough for me to satisfy my romance cravings. I enjoy all the cooking scenes and the explanation on how each dish is prepared. I don’t care much about the brother/sister-in-law relationship, but I understand we needed that for the main romance storyline and to showcase the beginning of a new era for women.

I recommend this if you are looking for a short and easy to watch drama with delicious cooking and food scenes.


Completed: 6/13/2023 - Review #318

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