Crazy, Funny & Sexy

Subjective Enjoyable Entertainment Rating: 8.25

With a drama title of “Do Me When You Come Home” aka “Kaette Kitara Ippai Shite.”, it probably gives you an idea that this is a somewhat sexy drama. Indeed, it’s sexy, crazy, and funny. It reminded me a little bit of “Ase to Sekken/Sweet and Soap” for its over-the-top adaptation of a manga.

Please note that;
1. It has overdramatic, over-the-top acting - Japanese style.
2. It has some sexy scenes, but no nudity.
3. The topic can be quite mature - about Teen Love (TL) manga with erotica.

If you are fine with all of the above, then this is a really fun drama, perfect for stress relief. I needed a drama like this and had a fabulous time watching it. The story is quite simple and the drama is pretty short (10 episodes at about 25 mins each). An inexperienced newbie TL (Teen Love) erotic manga artist seeks the assistance of the playboy ML as inspiration and reference for her manga. Of course, they eventually fell in love, but the romance wasn’t as smooth sailing as FL wanted because of ML’s family backstory. The manga characters are a direct reflection of the drama characters.

There are some really funny scenes, e.g. when the characters are posing for the FL to draw them (as reference materials). There are a few very sexy and sensual scenes between the ML and FL. The kisses are a lot better than I would have expected. They are not fish kisses, and the FL eventually warmed up and is a willing and passionate participant. ML doesn’t hesitate to go all in with the seduction and kissing. I personally don’t think ML is that handsome and he’s too skinny. But I warmed up to him and enjoy his acting and his role. I also appreciate that FL is not super innocent/naive/passive. She does speak up for herself. I like the progression of FL/ML relationship and how ML is the one who likes and accepts FL for who she is, and respects her dreams.

Overall, I had a really fun time watching it and there are some morals to the story. But if you are not used to this style of drama or acting, it might seem too crazy. There are no plot twists or anything that hasn't been done before. But it's definitely very entertaining.


Completed: 1/8/2024 - Review #392

Leia Mais

Everyday life of a Blind girl + Thai Home Cooking!

This is a recommendation from a fellow MDL’er when I was looking for an easy and light drama to watch. This definitely is one, even though the story is about a blind girl. Most dramas with a lead character with a disability focus on the challenges of everyday life. This one is no exception. However, compared to other dramas, it was not too harsh nor is the focus on really telling us how hard life is. Yes, it did touch upon that a little, but for the most part, this is a slice-of-life drama.

Female lead Taem is a very likable character. She is not overly dependent on her friends, nor is she immune to the challenges of life faced by someone who is visually impaired. Through her monologues (and writing), we learn how she goes about life as a normal person - putting on makeup, learning a new route to work, typing on her laptop (writing articles), doing laundry, ironing her clothes and most importantly, cooking. It actually is very enlightening to learn the effort she puts into every single task with the help of her very patient best friend and with lots of practice. Amongst all these everyday activities, the drama focuses on her love of cooking and how she goes about learning to do that safely.

If you are looking for romance, you will be disappointed. This is a drama about life. The main leads have a lovely friendship and they might have very positive feelings towards each other. But there is no romance. Instead, we get to know a bunch of students in the cooking class. They come from all walks of life, different age groups and socioeconomic statuses, and face different challenges in life. This is a short drama, so it can’t really give each character a lot of screentime. But I feel that I know and care about them enough, especially Boem and the housewife. I really enjoy all the food scenes. The drama showcases simple, home cooked Thai food for your friends and family.. It’s a change from gourmet foods that are usually featured in dramas. The drama is quite educational as well.

But this drama is not without fault. In the earlier episode, I think it was uncharacteristic of Taem to leave her first cooking class without notifying anyone, even if she’s upset. She or her colleagues could have easily said something to the male lead. I guess that set the plot up for the rest of the show. A few car scenes are really fake (crappy green screens). The acting of the main cast is pretty good, but those with minor roles are below average.

Overall, this is a lovely drama to watch. It feels very warm and homey. Definitely recommend it if you are looking for something easy and enjoy cooking scenes. Both leads acted well and have decent chemistry as well.

p.s. I watched this drama on Thai PBS with English subs. https://www.thaipbs.or.th/program/SweetSensory/episodes/93887


Completed: 10/25/2023 - Review #370

Leia Mais

Weirdly interesting and fun 1st half but poor writing in the 2nd half.

While “I am Nobody” was airing, I read good things about it. Little did I know I’ve stumbled onto one of the wackiest C-dramas I’ve ever watched. I really did not have much expectations and I never read the comics. I’ve seen some live action Japanese adaptations of anime and manga, and am not always a big fan of the comedy. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the first half of the drama, despite its weird comedy. But, I was also disappointed in the second half when the writing got sloppy and they seemed to run out of money.


What I Enjoy:

1. Bao Bao - One of my favorite characters in the drama and also in all of C-drama comedies. She is hilarious!!! Wang Ying Lu did a fantastic job portraying the emotionless, naive, crazy, violent and just pure wacky character. I look forward to funny things that come out of her mouth and how she reacts to different situations.

2. Peng Yu Chang - This is my first time watching him and I’m surprised to find out that he’s been in the industry for quite some time. His acting is probably the best of the bunch amongst the younger cast members of the drama. He really does stand out in his portrayal of the protagonist, Zhang Chu Lan. The success of the show rests on his shoulders and he does an admirable job.

3. Veteran Supporting Cast - “I am Nobody” is one of those dramas where the more experienced, veteran actors really outshine the younger generation. There are so many great actors, especially Old Taoist Lao Tian Shi/Zhang Zhi Wei, Grandpa Zhang Huai Yi, Taoist Tian Jin Zhong and Elder Lu Jin. I’ve enjoyed every single one of their scenes, serious, emotional and comedic ones.

4. Action Scenes - There are some pretty great fight scenes in the first half of the drama and during the competition. This is also one of the reasons I want to watch this drama as early comments praised some of its fight scenes. There are quite a few memorable fights during the competition.

5. Comedy - I normally don’t quite over-the-top comedy and shy away from pure comedies. But I thoroughly enjoy all the jokes, second-hand embarrassment, especially when the jokes happen with the veterans. Their deadpan expression while speaking some of these funny lines, make the scenes even more funny. BaoBao’s Sichuan accent also adds to her strange but unique personality.


What I have Mixed Feelings about or Don’t Like:

1. Second Half - I did not read the comics, so I am not sure if the drama follows the plot faithfully or loosely. However, I was very disappointed that after the competition, I did not see more camaraderie between the younger main cast and/or their adventures in continuing the quest to find out about the truth. Instead, we got an unimportant detour of Wang Ye’s family story and barely got Zhang Chu Lan, Wang Ye, Feng Bao Bao and Zhu Ge Qing back together. Zhang Lin Yu got his own side plot of accepting himself and continuation of the ill-developed romance. We spent so much time in Lao Tian Shi’s ‘revenge’ and another character’s search for their sister. I am not saying these side plots are not important to the development of the main plot, but screentime is not distributed appropriately. Maybe the drama should not have focused so many episodes on the competition, so it leaves enough time to develop all the other subplots afterwards. But then, the competition episodes are the most fun! If you spend so much time for viewers to get to know the main characters, then give me more of them together!

2. Inconsistent acting - This drama has a very big supporting cast of young actors and actresses. Some of them I’ve seen in other dramas and they did fine. But aside from Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu, the others don’t really stand out or exceed my expectations. I’m glad Neo Hou is not in another cold-on-the-outside role (can’t say the same for Bi Wen Jun) and he definitely acts better when he’s given more. Even so, he has room for improvement. A few other minor supporting actors are below average. No one is horrible, just inconsistent.

3. CGI - I wonder if the drama spends all their money on the special effects in the first half of the drama. Maybe the competition episodes use up all their budget, because in the second half, there are some pretty bad special effects. You can tell the green screen is right behind the actors.

4. Words Disappear - This is very personal and might only bother me. The drama did not give me a chance to fully read all the Chinese characters/sentences on the screen. And this happens not just once or twice. Instead of using a narrator to give an update or epilogue of what happened, the drama flashes these words on the screen so quickly. I tried to pause and read, but that gets annoying and doesn’t always work. I guess I should have turned on English subtitles, because I can read English a lot faster than Chinese.

5. Product Placement - It’s been a while since I watched a C-drama with so much in-your-face product placements. It was funny when they worked it into the advertising of the event, but after a while, these products are just everywhere. I thought I would only come across this level of product placement in a Thai BL.


Overall, this is an interesting drama and I had a pretty good time for most part. But this is definitely not for everyone and I can see many get put off by its humor. I would have given the first half an 8.5 and the second half 7.5 for a lower budget drama. So, an average of 8.0 would be my final rating. I am not sure if season 2 is going to happen, but I don’t think I’ll watch it. I am quite disappointed in the second half and really wish the writing is better.


Other Random Observations:
1. There are times I got confused if I am watching a wuxia drama (historical) or a modern drama.
2. This drama has a very eclectic soundtrack.
3. Peng Yu Chang/Zhang Chu Lan cries a lot!
4. Neo Hou looks so pretty! He can pass for a pretty girl with a nice, long ponytail.
5. So many characters and their signature moves that I get confused sometimes.



Completed: 9/26/2023 - Review #359

Leia Mais

Can you really change your fate when given a second chance?

Completed: 9/28/2022 - 8.25 rounding up to 8.5

Choosing to watch this drama is because of Jing Chao. I’ve liked him since his role as General Fu in “Princess Silver”. I am glad that he did not disappoint and is the star of the show. The story of rebirth could be a tricky one. It could become repetitive and boring when not done right, but I think “Lost Track of Time” did a pretty decent job.

What I Like:

1. Jing Chao - Without a doubt, this drama would not be the same without Jing Chao as Mu Ze. Even though he was listed as the second male lead, he shines the brightest amongst the whole cast. He might not give me second lead syndrome in his role here (he did in “Princess Silver”) but he has a commanding presence and I can’t take my eyes off him when he’s on the screen. He has great chemistry with both the male lead and female lead. While I pity his character, I am glad that he was not portrayed as a cartoonish villain, but one who is smart and cunning.

2. Scheming Duel - I enjoy watching how Lu An Ran (FL) and Mu Ze try to outsmart each other every step of the way. When you think one of them has the upper hand, the tides change. The drama keeps me thinking if Lu An Ran really can successfully seek revenge and change the fate of everyone. I particularly enjoy the first ⅔ of the drama.

3. Brotherhood - Mu Chuan and Mu Ze’s tight bond is the best relationship in this drama, outshining all the romantic storylines. I am glad we get an extended and deeper look into their childhood life and why they become each other’s favorite person in the world in the rebirth timeline. Despite having very different personalities and goals in life, and Mu Chuan questioning his brother’s true character, I am happy with this bromance all the way till the end.

4. General Plot - Though I still don’t know why Lu An Ran was given a second chance, I enjoy how the rebirth story is told. At first, I worry about repetitiveness (like time lapse or time travel storylines) but am pleasantly surprised that the drama is able to create different storylines for different characters, though whether their fate was changed or not is the big question.


What I am have Mixed Feelings or Don’t like:

1. Main Romance - It’s unfortunate I don’t really feel the chemistry between Lu An Ran and Mu Chuan. And because of this, I am not moved by the angst and their sufferings. Mu Chuan, on paper, is the perfect guy. He’s caring, sweet, thoughtful, considerate and supportive. He doesn’t force Lu An Ran to disclose all her secrets, but patiently waits for her. I love the meaning behind the rice crop. He would make my list of Ideal Man. I am not sure if it’s because of the acting of both Xing Fei and Zhai Zi Lu, something is missing. I think both actors did a fine job, but not great. Xing Fei’s emotionless face is bland at times. Zhai Zi Lu is not animated or sweet enough. Or maybe because Jing Chao is just too good that they pale in comparison.

2. Dubbing - It’s unfortunate that none of the actors used their own voice in this drama. Everyone is dubbed by voice actors, and the voices are not well synced with how the mouths move. Most of the voices are fine, but the most annoying is the high-pitched voice of the maid, Ling Xi. Her character is already quite annoying and her dubbed voice makes it worse.

3. Production - I understand that this is not a big budget production. However, even a mid-budget production should be able to use a green screen effectively. There are scenes when the characters are in the grass fields or rice fields, and you can obviously see that the background is fake. And what is up with the fuzzy, slow motion camera work? I can understand if you’re trying to distinguish one timeline from another, but there are some regular scenes where such ‘unique’ fuzzy camerawork is not justified. The costumes and set design are of decent quality and on par with the budget. I do enjoy the songs in this drama. They are not overplayed and the music complements the scenes very well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the OST on Spotify as I really enjoy the song, 今夕何夕 by Xian Zi 弦子.

4. Inconsistent pacing and scenes - For the most part, this drama has pretty good pacing, especially the first ⅔ of the drama. But towards the end, it becomes inconsistent. At times it seems like everything happens too fast, other times, I feel that it drags. I wonder if the drama would be better if it’s only 24-26 episodes long and not 30. There are also a few scenes that are inconsistent with a character or illogical, e.g. 1) a prisoner tortured and still in possession of a dagger, 2) a cautious character disclosing somewhat confidential info to another character, 3) people not running out of a room when there’s a fire and explosion erupted but continue to roll out subsequent events.


Overall, this is a pretty decent drama and should have a higher rating than 7.7. I quite enjoy it even though the romance did not move me as much as I wanted. I am giving this a a generous 8.25 (rounding up to 8.5 because I love Jing Chao, and I want to pull the average rating up a little). I think the current ending is realistic and good enough. I don’t think we need a special episode with an alternate (unrealistic) ending.

Leia Mais

Decent but not great - OST is good.

Completed: 7/19/2022

"Dear. M" is a short web series about college life, romance and choices that our characters have to make. For a web-based drama, the production quality is pretty decent. It doesn't really stand out amongst a sea of many other college dramas.

What I Like:
1. OST - I enjoy all the songs played. I am not too familiar with the actors in this drama, but if they are the ones really singing the songs in the drama, they are good. Spotify OST listed different singers that are not the actors. I especially like the duet between Park Hye Soon and Jeong Jae Hyun. The solo song by Jeong Jae Hyun was also very romantic.

2. Jeong Jae Hyun - It seems like this is his first acting gig and he did a pretty good job. I've seen many other web dramas with idol-turned-actors that couldn't act.

3. Park Hye Soon - I am glad the bullying allegations were put to rest and we got to see her in "Dear. M". She doesn't have too many dramas under her belt, but I quite enjoy her portrayal of Ma Joon Ah here. Is it only me or does she look like Zhao LuSi?

4. Ma Joon Ah + Cha Min Ho romance - I enjoy the Friends-to-Lovers trope personally, and I feel that their relationship changes and progresses at a pretty good pace throughout the drama from: realization --> shock --> denial --> hesitancy --> confession --> acceptance. I would have loved for them to get together a little sooner so that I can see some cute and fluffy scenes.


What I have mixed feelings:

1. Gil Mok Jin + Hwang Bo Young romance - There's so much potential for this romance. However, it all started too late and we couldn't really see any fun romantic development before they quickly got together. They were two really unique characters and I would have loved to see them have more screen time as a couple.

2. Dear M - Well, it was quite an interesting reveal to find out who actually wrote the Dear M posts. However, aside from the initial few episodes where people actually care who wrote the posts, for most of the drama this plot was put on the side in favor of the annoying love triangle. It pops back up periodically but really holds no importance to the central plot.


What I Don't Like:

1. Choi Ro Sa - What an annoying b!tch...LOL. Why do dramas always make the female character this annoying and despicable? I understand sometimes a drama needs a character as such to spice it up. But she has wayyyy too much screen time in this drama. Her scheming lasts throughout the drama and it really affects my enjoyment. She's listed as a supporting character but I think she has more screen time than Gil Mok Jin and Hwang Bo Young.

2. Seo Ji Min + Park Ha Neul romance - The drama probably focuses the most time on their romance and love triangle. They are fine and I do like a drama that tackles challenges of a relationship. But the characters themselves are quite boring (though they are a cute couple). If Ji Min keeps on saying that she's had a crush on Ha Neul for the longest time, I'd like to see some flashbacks of them before they're officially a couple. Show me how they got together in the first place, then I can understand why Ji Min is so adamant that Ha Neul doesn't like her as much as she likes him. Because from what I've seen, Ha Neul has done quite a lot to care for her.

Leia Mais

Revenge + Obsession + Buckets of Blood + Found Family

Completed - 4/15/2022 - 8.75

It's been a while since I last saw a drama with so much gore and blood. The last one was probably "Arthdal Chronicles". If you get squirmy with blood and violence, this might not be the right drama for you. However, if you can get past that, this is an exciting fantasy drama about reincarnation, revenge and freeing from a curse. Along the way, characters from different backgrounds and personalties came together to become a family.

This is a beautifully produced drama with great cinematography, action scenes, and incredible makeup. Not a small budget production. I don't think I have commented much on a drama's makeup before, but I got to give props to the makeup artists here. There's so much super-realistic blood all over the place, wounds of all shapes and sizes, protruding bone and slashes, and of course, facial makeup of our Bulgasals. Aesthetically, it just puts me in the right mindset to watch this drama. The OST is beautiful as well. Whenever the theme song is played, I feel all the emotions in the scenes, and the background music complements and sets the mood well.

I am quite familiar with the acting of the two female leads, having watch quite a few of their dramas, esp. Gong Seung Yeong ("Are You Human Too?", "Circle" & "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency"). Kwong Na Ra ("Secret Royal Inspector" & "Suspicious Partner") and Gong Seung Yeon really look like sisters. Both have beautiful eyes that can convey emotions very well. On the other hand, this is my first drama of the two male leads, Lee Jin Wook and Lee Joon, and I am quite impressed with their acting. I think I am most impressed with Lee Joon, because his character just gives him so much more to work with. I love how his crazy personality matches all of his over-the-top outfits. Kim Wook Seok is adorable as the high schooler and his acting has improved tremendously since I last saw him in "Twenty-Twenty". The supporting cast is great as well with both veteran and child actors.

But the main attraction to this drama is its plot. Viewers need to be patient and pay attention in order to not get confused. Not everything is explained in the first few episodes. The history and entanglement between the characters are slowly revealed throughout the drama. You don't get the full story until the finale. I personally quite enjoy the storytelling as I try to piece together what's been revealed and guess what really happened many years ago. The pacing of the drama is pretty good (maybe just slowed down slightly in the middle) but I was focused and engaged throughout the drama. I would like to see more of the story told in historical times. And I would have liked for Dan Hwal to find out the reason for his family's death a little sooner. Because then, the found family and small romance can truly develop, and have more heartwarming scenes (that's just the romance-junkie in me talking). Dramas oftentimes do not finish strong, but I think "Bulgasal" has a strong and satisfactory finish. I was quite emotional in the last couple episodes. Ahh... I love the found family and wish them all have happily-ever endings.

This is by no means a perfect drama. I am still a little confused about Ok Eul Tae's obsession with Dan Hwal. Why was he so obsessed for so many years ago? It also seems like a very roundabout way to device a complicated plan to achieve his ultimate goal. When we finally get to the finale to find out what started all this mess, it was a little bit anti-climatic. I thought the origin of the curse and the entanglement would be a much bigger deal. The modern times monsters could be more terrifying and could be used more. And what happened to the fire inside the room with the well?

Objectively speaking, this might not be highly rated. But if I don't think too much and enjoy the ride, I quite like this drama, thus, a very generous 8.75 from me.

Leia Mais

Impactful , Awesome Chemistry, Great Acting by Gun (Black/White)

Completed - 3/28/2022 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0

"Not Me" introduced many international viewers to Thailand's social injustices and inequality via the popularity of BL dramas. I probably would not have watched this drama if it's not a BL drama, and I am the targeted audience for such a genre - straight woman. But I am so glad that I get to watch such great drama. There hasn't been any other BL dramas that my novice brain can recall that includes serious topics as social injustices and inequality, mixed with romance. We have seen many too many high school and college dramas, good and mature ones are hard to come by.

What I Enjoy:

1. Tackling Social Issues - As mentioned, "Not Me" has a strong focus on regular citizens speaking up and fighting social and economic injustices. It discusses issues such as upper-middle class/elite privileges, evil corporation monopoly and dirty /illegal business tactics/practices, police corruption, disability rights, marriage equality, etc. Even though it doesn't go into details about all of these topics, it brought light to viewers that Thailand also struggles with these issues. I am not sure if Thailand has censorships like China, but I guess because "Not Me" does not target the government, it's free to discuss other issues. I also enjoy the discussion of 'Rule of Law' vs "Rule by Law'. There are some very intelligent discussions about this, and I appreciate that.

2. Gun's Acting - When White was first introduced and moved back to Thailand, my first impression of him was a dorky but smart college grad who looks like a high school kid. But throughout the drama, I have witnessed his transformation from dorky White to an inexperienced Black and to become very comfortable in his new identity. Gun portrays all these identities so well. You can see from his eyes how they change from persona to persona. The aura he gives out is very different as well. This is my first drama of Gun, and I was concerned initially when I see dorky White that he might not live up to the expectations. What an impressive acting range Gun showcases by playing both White and Black.

3. Off's Acting - Off might have been a little overshadowed by Gun's impressive acting, but he did a fantastic job as well. His character also provides him with many opportunities to showcase his acting ability. He switches from an impulsive & aggressive Sean, to a very smitten and totally-in-love Sean effortlessly. He also has great emotional scenes.

4. Second Half Drama + Romance - It took me a couple episodes to feel really invested in the story and the characters, as the first half covers some very serious topic. But from the middle to the second half of the drama, there is a very good mix of drama/action and romance. The pacing is great and I am totally invested in their cause, and also in their love lives. The chemistry between Black and Sean is incredible, though I have minor issue about how it all started (discussed more below). But the scenes when they are together, you can feel the sizzling chemistry and you just want them to hug and kiss (great kisses, by the way). The same goes to how Yok looks at Dan/UNAR. I can feel how he was initially attracted to the mysterious UNAR and the scenes of them together are just as awesome (though I don't like Dan's acting as much). It broke my heart towards the end of the drama with scenes between Yok and Dan at the hospital.

5. White as Black- I like how White, as an outsider, joins the group and tries to support them using more appropriate measures. Instead of just following what is instructed of him, he comes up with alternate solutions that yield much better results. I also enjoy how he matures and realizes that he's part of the problem, as someone coming from an upper-middle class family with connections to help pave his road for success.

What I don't quite Enjoy (nitpicking a little):

1. They don't look their character age - A few characters, especially Todd, looks like a high school kid dresses in his dad's clothes. He has such a young face, yet he's already a business tycoon. I find that a little hard to believe. White also looks like a high school kid instead of a college graduate when he was initially introduced. Eugene looks like a high school cheerleader, though she is really pretty and I enjoy all her dances.

2. Black/Sean falling in love - I feel that they fall in love too quickly. They were just arguing and beating each other up in one scene, and then in another they are giving each other love glances at the protest. The transition from enemies-to-lovers needs a little more development. Don't get me wrong, I love their chemistry, it just happens a little bit out of the blue.

3. Other's Acting - Because Gun and Off's acting is so great, comparatively, the other team members don't measure up to their level. I feel that Dan is the weakest link out of all the guys. When he's not crying, he seems to only have one facial expression when he's with Yok. Gram and Tod's acting is also just so-so.

Leia Mais

Potential Trigger Warning (explained in first paragraph of review) - Excellent Acting all around

Completed - 2/12/2022

Trigger Warning/Spoiler - I didn’t see this mentioned in the reviews/comments and tags, so I figured I’ll mention this. In the last episode of the drama, there was an incident of sexual harassment on the bus. This is a very small part of the show (maybe only 5 minutes), and nothing too explicit (moving close, touching). But just in case, I would like to inform those who could be affected. It made me a little uncomfortable as I experienced something similar many years ago when I was a high schooler. It just brought back some memories. I know many women (and men) experience such atrocity in their daily lives. However, if you are OK, I hope it doesn’t deter you from watching this amazing drama.

Now, moving on to the real review.

Plot - When I first read about this drama, one thing that concerned me was the repetitiveness of the plot due to the time loop. In “Reset”, I feel that it started out with two very strong episodes. However, I do feel some repetitiveness in the subsequent episodes. Luckily, once we learn more of the passengers’ stories and police investigations, the drama’s pace is better and everything becomes more exciting. I think the drama finishes really strong with amazing episodes 12-15 and gives us a very satisfactory ending. I think Ep 12 is the most exciting and my favorite.

Acting/Characters - Great acting all around, from our leads to the minor supporting characters. I’ve seen Bai Jin Ting (ML) in a few other dramas, and am glad to see him branch out to have a different role. Playing the character as Xiao He Yun, a game developer who wasn’t an instant hero. Bai Jin Ting was able to portray some real emotions as someone who was scared to learn of the time loop, and didn’t want to have anything to do with it. Throughout the drama, he slowly grows into the hero that he is. This is my first drama of Zhao Jin Mai (FL) and I like her acting as well. Playing Li Shi Qing, a college student who is caring and innocent, but has a sense of justice. She is more of an instant heroine, compared to Xiao He Yun. With different personalities, our leads complement each other well and each brings something different to the table when solving the mystery of time loop. “Reset” also has an excellent supporting cast of young and veteran actors. I especially enjoy the acting of Liu Yin Jun (as Detective Zhang Cheng), Huang Jue (as bus driver Wang Xing De) and Liu Dang (as Tao Ying Hong). Other passengers or police officers might not have as much screen time but you can still differentiate them from each other as they have such individual charisma and acting. Additionally, I am so glad to see two female police officers who are intelligent and calm, and one of them is the boss!

Production - This has to be the first C-drama that gives me the most realistic color of blood! I know it sounds crazy that I talk about this, but in so many dramas, the color of blood is just not right. It’s either too bright red, too liquidy, too thick or too dark. But in “Reset”, it’s realistic, and especially the realistic injuries of a burn victim. If you look closely at the wounds of one of the major characters after the explosion, you can see smoke coming out of the burnt clothes and wounds. Such details! There is nothing glamorous about this drama, so one can’t judge its production value on nice clothes or nice set design. But you can see the detail in each of the scenes and how real everything is. There’s nothing flimsy or cheap. On the other hand, since it’s a time loop, the production company can save money on a large wardrobe budget. The characters just wear the same clothes everyday!

OST - The background music complemented the scenes very well, and you feel that it’s not forcing you to feel a certain way. There aren’t many songs played in the drama, but when Zhou Shen’s hauntingly beautiful song, “My Only” comes up, you can’t help but feel all the emotions. One of my pet peeves is when music is too loud that it drowns the dialogs. I am glad that it didn’t happen here. The few songs played are nice and I only notice them more towards the last half of the drama.

Other Observations:
1. This is the fanciest Internet Bar/Cafe/Motel I’ve seen in a drama. I think I want to stay in a room like that than in any hotel room!
2. C-dramas really like lovers wearing color-matching outfits. We see that in the last episode - white shirts and blue jeans.
3. No annoying character in this drama! Yay!
4. Slight romance is the correct tag. I would have liked to see a little more glances/hints throughout the drama. I don’t need much, just a little. I feel that either you take out the romance completely, or give it a little more care.

Leia Mais

Great Friendships and Bromance and Character Development

Completed - 1/27/2022 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0

It's rare to see a C-drama with basically no romance, idols, or big name actors to have such a high MDL rating (8.8 at the time of this review). I have gone back-and-forth many times whether I want to watch this, since it's not really my type of drama. But the overwhelming positive reviews convinced me and I am glad I gave in. This is an excellent teen drama and not just about the game of Go, but of strong friendships, bromances and most importantly, our main lead's growth as a person.

Shi Guang (ML)'s character development is what I like best in this drama. We were first introduced to a 9-year old who is quite cute and smart. That little young actor is such a smartass that I can't help but laugh at and with him. He is actually quite mature of his age, when he sees through what Chu Ying wants from him, and that it might not be the road that he wants or is ready for. Throughout the drama, our ML has gone through enormous ups and downs. I actually find him quite annoying in the beginning as a teenager. The drama does a really good job in helping us see Shi Guang's thoughts and feelings, and the way he reacts to different situations, with the guidance of Chu Ying and his many friends. After finishing this drama and looking back at how annoying Shi Guang used to be, it's amazing how much I have grown to like him and the person he has become.

Shi Guang & Chu Ying have a great mentor/mentee relationship, in addition to being very close friends. Sometimes, it feels like Chu Ying is the father figure we never saw. It's fascinating when Chu Ying is teaching Shi Guang about chess playing, but it's also hilarious seeing how Chu Ying adapts to modern world technology and slangs so well. On the other hand, Shi Guang and Yu Liang have an 8-year rivalry. I really enjoy seeing the respective journeys of these frenemies. They have such an interesting dynamic throughout the drama. Shi Guang is really one lucky guy. He has some REALLY good friends in this drama, in addition to Chu Ying and Yu Liang. He has many supportive and caring friends in high school and in the chess club. These friends stick with him throughout his career as an amateur chess player to become a pro chess player. It's also quite amazing that I did not find any of his friends irritating or annoying.

The pacing of this drama is done well. I actually wanted more episodes to follow ML's professional career and international competitions. I don't think I've ever said that about a C-drama. I really enjoy the portrayal of the challenges in each step of ML's career. He's growing and achieving successes, and then, reality brings him back down to earth, and he has to face a new set of challenges. This makes the drama more believable, as we know even though ML could be a genius, he can't be an international champion just like that. The ups and downs in his career contribute to his personal growth. However, I do feel that the last couple episodes were a little slower and a little too much moping around. I understand why, but I don't think the drama ended strongly. Maybe that's why I wanted more episodes as it seems unfinished.

Another aspect I like about this drama is how all the actors look like real teenagers and young adults. Especially during the high school scenes, I feel like the kids are really teenagers and not actors pretending to be teenagers. They look like 'normal' people. They are not full of make-up or wearing fashionable clothing. Additionally, I like Chu Ying's transparent look. It gives a very fantasy-like feel to his existence, and that he's not just another person hanging out with ML. He is just so funny. He looks so much more handsome in ancient times without makeup though.

As someone who doesn't know anything about the game of Go. I have to say that the drama does not intend to teach me about the game. I am often lost and confused with all the moves, though they seem fascinating.

Overall, I really enjoy this drama. My gut might tell me that this is not a slam dunk 9-10 rating, but it's really quite good.

Leia Mais

Lighter version of "Remembrance of Things Past"

Completed - 1/7/2022

"Delicious Romance" is a pretty underrated drama, and probably because the cast members are not idols and not as famous. However, it's a heartwarming drama about friendship, love, career and dreams. I feel that it's a lighter and happier version of "Remembrance of Things Past" (which I strongly recommend).

I enjoy the close friendship between the three main leads. They have funny and witty banter, are open and honest with each other, even if they are criticizing each other's decisions. I believe the friendship is what attracted most people to this drama. These ladies are 30 years old and are facing life's challenges as 30-year-old women in China. It's not surprising the following topics/challenges are covered in this drama:

1. Family and Society Prejudice against single, unmarried women.
2. Prejudice of divorced women
3. Sexual harassment and inequality treatment at work
4. Boss and Subordinate vs. romantic partner relationship
5. Stable and steady job vs. following your dream to unchartered territory
6. Income and Status inequality

This is a very short drama, only 20 episodes long at about 30 minutes each. The pace is fast and I was not bored at all. I quite enjoy the comedy inserted in the drama to deal with some of the heavier topics. I feel that the drama does a good job in introducing all three leads and show us their stories and personalities. I like them all and feel for them when they are faced with challenges. They each have their own flaws, but I root for them.

On the other hand, I feel the romance storylines are under-developed. I'd like to see more between Liu Jing and Jiang Shan Mu and how they fall in love, esp. from JSM. I also want to see a little more about the resolution between Xia Meng and Lu Bin at the end. As for Fang Xin and Zhang Ting, I want to see more of them after they get together. Because the drama is quite short, there isn't enough time for all, in addition to the other plots.

I also like:
- Xia Meng critiquing all the tropes and cliches in rom-coms.
- Jiang Shan Mu and his daughter's relationship - she is one smart cookie
- the funny drama shooting scene with the concubines
- first drag show I've seen in C-dramaland

Overall, I enjoy this very binge-able drama. It might not be as good as "Remembrance of Things Past", but it's an easy and enjoyable watch. I recommend this to those who like dramas of women-centric friendship and their life's challenges/decisions.

Leia Mais

Slow start, Excellent middle, Good finish

Completed - 1/6/2022

A sponsored, big production, "Luoyang" opens with beautiful cinematography and set designs. It introduces many characters and multiple plot lines all at once and took me a while to find my bearings. I personally find the first 10 episodes a little slow, but once the leads interact with each other more and the plot lines intersect, the pace is fast and exciting. It did slow down a little towards the end.

What I Like:

1. Plot - I am not much of a thriller/mystery watcher, so I can't compare this to other amazing shows. However, I am very invested in the mysteries and the investigations. There are a few twists that I have an inkling of what might happen, but for the most part, I went along with this thrilling ride and was quite surprised.

2. Acting - It's my first drama of Huang Xuan, and no wonder I hear lots of praises He was amazing as Gao Bing Zhu, a multi-layered and complicated grey character (to start). I've seen clips of Victoria Song in "Find Yourself" and didn't quite like her there (or I just don't like the drama). However, I am glad that I get to see her in LuoYang again. She surprises me as I wasn't expecting her to perform so well in emotional scenes. I am no stranger to Wang Yi Bo, and his acting is on par to what I expect. I also feel that his character doesn't provide him with enough range to show off his (maybe there) potential acting skills. The person that surprises me the most is Yong Mei, who played the Empress. What a presence she has! She doesn't speak loud, doesn't do much, but when she's on my screen, I feel her presence.

3. Production - The lighting! After watching so many historical C-dramas, I have come to expect certain big S+ dramas to satisfy my hunger for natural lighting. I am glad to see that Luoyang does not disappoint. The amazing use of candles and lanterns in Er lang's room and the Joint Corps pleases me the most. Aside from the lighting, the set designs and ornaments are beautiful. No CGI was used to have fake people. The drama employs many real people in this drama to act as regular citizens, and there are many scenes with crowds. There are any beautiful shots of Luoyang and realistic shots in Unwelcome Well.

4. Gao Bing Zhu + 16 Night - The last scene between the two of them is so amazingly acted by both actors. It's so heartbreakingly beautiful when we finally learn of the backstory between the two of them.

What I Don't Quite Like or want Improvements:

1. Flashbacks/Black screen/Camera work - My number one complaint of this show is the blurry flashback scenes. Why are they always so blurry? They are giving me motion sickness and making me dizzy. There are also many black screens that pop up to show a different camera angle. I've seen black screen used in other dramas, but mostly for scene transitions. But for the black screen to show up so many times just to change a camera angle, gets really annoying. The blurry flashbacks really affected my enjoyment of the drama. I also don't like the bright light behind the actors. I think they use this camerawork a little too often. Of course, this is all very personal.

2. Voices/Sound - I believe the actors are using their own voices, and I greatly appreciate that. However, I found Wang Yi Bo's line delivery very unclear in the first couple episodes. It sounds like he's mumbling. However, he definitely improves later on. I would love to hear live recording, but unfortunately, they are studio recorded. But overall, I found the dubbing for this S+ drama to be lacking. There are times when the mouths and sounds are not matching.

3. Not enough leads together - I hope to see more scenes of the three leads together. They are oftentimes working independently or only in pairs. I think the three of them have pretty good chemistry when arguing or investigating.

4. Liu Ran - As a character, she doesn't seem to provide much use. Her sole purpose to "humanize" Erlang. If they are going to do that, they could have developed the romance a little more. Yes, Liu Ran does call out "Erlang...Erlang... Erlang" quite a bit in this drama. But maybe I knew of it and have low expectations, I wasn't as bothered. I've seen enough annoying characters that I don't even find Liu Ran and her brother that bad. I've built up my annoying-character tolerance.

Other Observations/Thoughts:
1. Saw a different kind of wedding ceremony. Don't think I've seen a tent for the bride and groom to greet guests in any other historical dramas.
2. At times, the BGM is a little loud and I can't hear the dialogs.
3. Erlang is so multi-talented. He's a foodie and an architect. But he's also a chemist and a coroner as well.
4. Slow motion fighting again. Why???????
5. *SPOILER* Ending - Gao Bing Zhu and Wu Si Yue have gone through so much and have lost so many people in their lives. Why can't you let them live happily ever after???

Leia Mais

One of the better High School BL Dramas - cute and sweet

Completed - 12/18/2021

I can see why this drama has so many good reviews. It's a somewhat realistic high school BL drama with a lot of cute and fluffy content. It's really short that you can binge watch in a few hours. It's a good palate cleanser in between more serious dramas. Let's start with what I don't like about this drama.

What I don't Like:
1. Over-dramatic acting - This is personal taste as I don't usually enjoy the over-dramatic manga/anime style of live acting. I felt that our male lead, Aoki, is a little too much and I get annoyed with him at times. I understand he's made out to be a contrast to our other male lead, Ida, who is a little more serious.

2. Repetitive doubting - For such a short drama, Aoki doubted his relationship with Ida too much. After his confession and they started "dating", every episode following that, he's been questioning whether Ida likes him or not, or if Ida really wants to date him. I understand the uncertainty but it feels repetitive after a while.

What I Like:
1. Ida - I enjoy Ida's character. It's nice to see a quieter and more serious character that is not the traditional cold and mean male lead. He's just different and expresses himself different. He's serious in considering his answer and cares about others. I enjoy watching his slow discovery and realization that he does like Aida. I like how he protects Aoki through quiet actions.

2. Ida + Aoki - They do make a very cute couple. Their contrast in personality makes for a very enjoying and fun experience (albeit the Aoki's overacting). You can't help but smile when you see the together and they have great chemistry.

3. Supportive Friends - How nice it is to have such supportive friends of their relationship. It's a stress-free drama where you don't have to worry about jealous and mean-spirited friends.

4. Realistic Concerns - Even though this is a sweet and fluffy drama, it also addresses the issues facing a young same-sex couple, esp. a couple who never thought they could be attracted to someone of the same sex. Aoki is concerned about others knowing they are together and that is very real, not just in high school but in life. We have a teacher who is conservative and doesn't know how to deal with the knowledge of Aoki being with Ida. All these issues were handled well in the drama.

Leia Mais

Excellent Slice-of-Life Drama but very painful to watch

Completed - 11/24/2021

Objective rating: 9.0
Subjective rating: 8.75

It is very difficult to review and rate "The Bond". Objectively speaking, this is an excellent drama. The acting is top notch - from the youngest actors to the most veteran actors. I have nothing to pick on. And because of the excellent acting of everyone, I come to hate so many of the supporting characters. I don't think I've ever hated characters from a drama this much, most notably Father Qiao. This piece of Sxxx of a father is the worst I've seen. The novel writer and the screenwriter are the same person, and I wonder if he has such a hard life that he would write something that gives me so much pain.

The drama revolves around the life of the Qiao family. The Qiao siblings grew up without a mother and their father emotionally and physically abused/neglected them. Big Brother Qiao YiCheng had to grow up fast to take care of his younger siblings. Throughout the drama, you see the hardships that each sibling has gone through from their childhood to their adult life. But the BOND between them is unbreakable. No matter how much they argue and fight with each other, they immediately drop everything to come to their sibling's rescue. And because they all suffer so much that I wish the best for each of them.

I thought of writing a little bit about each sibling's journey, but then my review will be super long and possibly very boring. Let's just say each has a very distinct personality and has amazing character growth in this drama. All of their marriages go through ups and downs. This is no fairytale, as happily-ever-after does not come easy to the Qiao family. When watching this drama, I have to pause and only watch a couple episodes a day. I cry and suffer with them, and it became intolerable to binge watch. I endured all this suffering because I pray that it has a happy ending. I wish there are more light and comedic moments in this drama, to balance out the tough moments.

Other Notes:
1. I am glad to watch another Bai Yu (Brother #1) drama after The Guardian. His acting is no joke. He's excellent in this drama.
2. This is my first drama of Zhang Wan Yi (Brother #2). I became a fan and look forward to seeing more of his dramas in the future. He's quite handsome :)
3. So glad to see Rachel Momo (Sister #3) in this very likable role. I really disliked her in "Princess Wei Young". But then, it also speaks to her great acting ability.
4. Song Zu Er (Sister #4) grew on me. I didn't like her and her character that much in the beginning, but she has the best character development in the drama. I look forward to her upcoming dramas.
5. I am so glad that the actors are using their own voices and it also sounded like live recording.

Leia Mais

Must watch mature and realistic drama for those who left their hometowns for another city

10/1/2021 - 9.75 rating

At the time of this writing, the MDL rating for this drama is 8.2. How could this be so criminally low? Is it because it's not an idol drama, no good-looking cast, not a fluffy romance, not produced by a big tv network? Objectively speaking, this is an excellent drama. Subjectively speaking and on a personal level, this is a near perfect drama. Thus, I am giving it 10.0 (rounding up from 9.75). This is the first drama I give a 10. This drama needs to be talked about and recommended more.

"Remembrance of Things Past" is about the lives of four women who moved away from their small hometown for college and stayed in Beijing after graduation to make it big and have a new life. As a transplant in Beijing, life is not easy and they encounter different hardships in romance, work and just trying to survive.

I have very similar experiences as the female leads - moving away from home, relying on friends to survive in a new city, only reporting happy news to family, long commute to work because housing is cheaper when farther away, loss of a loved one, single woman walking home at night, parents sacrifice for me, etc. Aside from all this, this drama also covered peer pressure at work and at home, marriage pressure for women in their late 20s and 30s, physical and mental health concerns, suicide and attempted suicide, workplace rivalries, materialism, physical beauty, renting vs buying a house, saving money vs living life, money scams, etc.

Episode 1 hooked you right in! Not knowing why a close friend committed suicide is a central plot in the drama. Her story is told through flashbacks, but the guilt is so very present within her friends. Each episode has a theme and an epilogue that narrated by the female leads which make you really stop and think. I love these thought-provoking epilogues. The last 15 minutes of Episode 10 was the most intense for me. The series of events happening at the same time with the three female leads and their subsequent big fight were explosive, intense and heartbreaking.

Romance isn't a main focus of this drama, though each of the three female leads has their own storyline. Maybe except for the romance of Xu Yan & Zhen Zi Chang. The struggles of their relationship is the central storyline, and it's also my least favorite of the three romances. I feel that it's somewhat repetitive and I really dislike Xu Yan and the way she treats her boyfriend. I am glad there's character development, but we don't see a better version of her until the very end. I wish there's more to Xu Yan storyline than about money and her boyfriend. I enjoy the shyness of Jian Yi Fan when he's somewhat courting Qian Xi Chen. I am a sucker for a quiet man who shows love through quiet actions. He seems like a different person when he's so shy and reserved, yet he's such a boss at work (calm and mature). I quite enjoy the banter between Xi Chen and Yi Fan, and they make a cute couple. Ji Nan Jia & Ou Yang's relationship is the sweetest. I love LOVE what Ou Yang said to Nan Jia about having children and raising children in a loving family. How could you not want to have a child with him after that? Ou Yang appears immature, but he's actually quite the opposite. The talk that Nan Jian had with Ou Yang's mother is also excellent. Those two don't seem like a good fit together, but they actually complement each other very well.

Of course, the best part of the drama is the friendship between the four women. I doubt they can survive in Beijing without each other.

Other notes: I watched this drama on YouTube and another site-that-shall-not-be-named. MangoTV YouTube videos blocked some of the music and the sound quality wasn't great. It really did affect my viewing and I couldn't really listen to the OST. The English subtitles also suck. Maybe this contributed to the lack of popularity. I wish this drama is shown on Viki, as I think the subbers would have done a much better job. I also found the accent of the actors quite hard to understand (with my conversational Mandarin skills). Maybe it's a very thick northern accent? Or I am just used to the voice actors these days, which is kind of sad but also why they have voice actors to do the dubbing.

Leia Mais

They died, they didn't die... they died, they didn't die. Did they die or not??

Completed - 5/5/2022

In Part 1, I praised the drama for its beautiful and colorful cinematography and costumes. Part 2 made a 180-degree turn due to its primary setting in the wintery North. We see snowy trees and mountains, frozen lakes and a beautiful house with unique blue lanterns. The wintery scenes are definitely beautiful. However, after a while, I crave colors instead of bright, shining, white backgrounds and black costumes. How I miss the colors in Part 1!

If I base my review solely on the first ⅓ of the drama, I might have given it a 7 or 7.5 rating. The pacing is so slow. After 4 episodes of seeing our FL being so sickly, and talking like she’s half-dead, I became very bored. This lasted for about 8 episodes (too long). I did not like Dilraba’s acting and/or her character in these episodes at all, and I also became annoyed with the voice actress. Of course, this is all very subjective and you might think this is Dilraba’s best acting, as she’s not cute and innocent, like her usual roles.

If Part 1 is all about misunderstandings, then Part 2 is about who can die sacrificing themselves the most. Let’s take turns doing that! Also, did they die or not? How many times did a character die and then not die?

Our leads are not that interesting in Part 2 and I am not really feeling their chemistry. This might be due to the fact that most of the romance happened towards the end of the drama. I am actually liking the other romances. I like the weird and adorable odd couple, and the opposite-attracts couple. I think both couples are more fun to watch and have better chemistry than our main leads. Additionally, there really aren't any annoying characters. There are no evil second leads due to unrequited love not returned! How rare is that in a xianxia drama! I think my favorite character is Shunde Fairy. She’s an interesting and complicated character, and I enjoy Cristy Guo’s acting.

Costumes and accessories continue to shine. Allen Ren and Dilraba continue to look handsome and stunning. Actually, every single actress looks beautiful in this drama. Props to the make-up artists and costume designers. I love the wedding gowns with the ocean theme - scales designs and mermaid tails. Also love the sea animal sky lanterns.

The songs are the same ones as in Part 1. The more I listen to the songs, the more I like them. I think my favorite song in Part 2 is Mao Buyi’s version of 如你所想 (As you thought). The male version, to me, sounds better than the female version.

The CGI in Part 2 seems inconsistent. There are scenes when the graphics are good. But others, such as the fight in the desert between the Head Immortal Master and the Jade Phoenix was very bad. It seems like they run out of money towards the end of the drama for special effects.

Lastly, without going into spoilers, the editing on the ending could have been a lot better. At first glance, the director seems to want viewers to come up with their own explanation. However, are scenes cut due to censorship? Is that intentional? Something seems to be missing. Thanks to MDLers in the comment section, I read the article with the explanation.

It is a pity that English subtitles are not readily available yet. Although this is not my favorite xianxia drama, I think many would enjoy it.

Other Observations:
1. For someone who until recently hasn’t had that many kiss scenes in dramas, Allen Ren surely has many fish kisses here. He's a fish afterall. 😍
2. The secret room with the painting doesn’t seem to be that secretive, since so many got in.
3. Leaders in this drama like to keep plans hidden from others, and then others keep on messing up their plans.
4. Tian Jun (Heavenly Emperor) only has 2 gods to keep him company? Where are the others?

Leia Mais