I. Introduction

Brace yourself for delicious angst with Circle of Love, a short-length drama packed with every melodramatic cliche trope you have ever read about. This is pwp for those who secretly consume bodice ripper novels or shoujo manga, and who have a secret kink for 'alpha males' and 'damsels in distress', conveniently ignoring the modern society warnings about idolising toxic, manipulative, abusive, and possessive characters.

II. Story and Plot

Let's be honest- We are not watching this for any story or plot. The cliches utilised in the story weren't just beaten to a pulp, they were pulverised into subatomic particles. The supporting female lead is predictably stupid in her vindictive mischief, and the glowering male lead's responses served as the inspiration for Katy Perry's 'Hot n Cold'. The female lead catches amnesia the way people caught Covid-19 in 2020. Abortion soup is served like dessert. I'm not even sure when did the female lead get pregnant- or did the male lead impregnate her by shooting lusty gazes at her all while keeping his trousers on?

The plot tropes get wilder and more incredulous with each episode, that by the last episode you're left spinning like a drunk top on crack. The male lead suffers multiple gunshot wounds in places that generally mean quick death even with a single shot, and yet still managed to remain standing, speak for 10 minutes, crawl multiple times, be hurled six feet away (not once but twice!), be trampled on, wrestle with the villain, shoot the villain, and not die. The female lead similarly has some kind of hero's halo, as she shoots herself in the head, but in the last 2 minutes of the episode, can be seen reuniting with the male lead on some battlefield 'two years later'.

III. Characters

We watch this- as PeachBlossomGoddess puts it- for LJL's (ML) smouldering gaze, taut chest, and steamy manhandling of GC (FL). LJL and GC's chemistry is so palpable here, you will beg for them to collaborate on a longer-length drama. LJL delivers a powerhouse performance as a possessive, abusive, amorous, and delicious snack. GC has a quick-witted face, which supports her character as someone trying to outwit the male lead and she manages to restrain herself from overacting in a melodramatic role (falling in love with her abuser in every instance of amnesia). The same can't be said for YZM (2ML) who emotes like he is a GIF or sticker for even the smallest of scenes. Meanwhile WLH (2FL) must have been slapped frozen by the FL's audacity to exist. She steadfastly held the same petulant expression throughout the entire drama, be it happily receiving an expensive gift, viciously planning someone's rape, or being jilted at the eleventh hour.

IV. Production Aspects

Set in the Chinese Republican Era, the set showcased luxurious Western influences, e.g., use of ornate wooden furniture, plush bedding, and art deco architecture. The cinematography repeatedly utilised muted tones and dim lighting to drag audiences into visually seductive scenes. Some of LJL's suits were inaccurately modern for the era, but LJL bore the uniform so well, any young damsel or damned sir would develop a uniform kink. GC's gorgeous OOTDs had her oscillating between sweet-daisy-next-door in one scene and poisonous-rose-assassin in the next. Notably, the song 克萊因與鯨 (some translated it as 'Klein and the Whale'-- who's Klein??) is a poignant song which heightened the emotional impact of the angsty scenes.

V. Conclusion

Circle of Love is not for the progressives. It demands suspension of disbelief and preference for indulging in luscious angst and melodrama (you know who you are). LJL and GC's stellar love-hate performances, the compelling agony, and effective soundtrack elevates this to a 10/10 rewatch value, but its general storyline is so ludicrous, the overall score is brought down to 8/10.