My Favourite Dramas From 2023

What an incredible production this was. I was really blown away. Not only was the script incredibly well written, it has the most interesting multi-faceted characters. I loved the dark tone of the plot --it was suspenseful and kept you engaged through the brilliant directing and cinematography. The execution was excellent! I simply loved everything about this drama!!

I loved this drama: It was an excellent production! This was a terrific script that was well written with interesting characters that the entire cast portrayed fantastically, and it had wonderful directing, editing and cinematography as well. Just an excellent, quality production all around!

This story follows 4 families growing up in Beijing's hutongs where they go on to experience the twists and turns of life, living up to the name of the town they're from: Jiu-dao-wan. The story begins in 1979, following Yang Shu Mao's return home after graduation. Having lived in poverty for much of their lives, Yang Shu Mao's family has come to prioritize money above all. Because of his entanglement with 3 women who will come to love him, he ventures into business in an attempt to change his financial standing. Thus marks the beginning of change to his and his family's simple life in Jiudaowan forever. As Yang Shumao experiences the ups and downs of life, he learns a valuable mantra along the way: Life can hardly go to one's liking; one can only hope to become half-satisfied with all things.

This was such a quality production! It had great directing, cinematography and an amazing screenplay that was well written, overall. They added a comedic overtone to this production that I Ioved, as it helped to lighten what would otherwise be a pretty heavy plot, while not subtracting from the emotional storyline. I thought all the character prototypes fit the story and the plot development. In fact, it's the strong identities of the characters that actually drive the development of this plot. I thought the entire cast did a phenomenal job of bringing their characters to life: I was captivated by their realistic performances. I especially loved Han Dongjun's portrayal of the ML and his love story with Rayzha's FL. Their incredible chemistry together really helped to sell the lovestory. I also appreciated seeing the growth and development of their characters and their relationship throughout the stages of their lives. This was an amazing drama!

This was a great production with a well written script and characters. The acting was natural and the chemistry of the cast was wonderful. My only issue with this drama was they dragged the story out too long. This drama would have benefited from trimming down the episodes, imo.

I rate this drama an 8.7/10!

This was a quality production with an interesting storyline full of imperfect characters that show growth, resiliency and determination to carve out new paths for themselves despite all the adversity and misfortune that life brings them. I thought the strong cast of actors and the director did an excellent job in the execution of this screenplay! And the location of the rural setting had the most breathtaking scenery which made for gorgeous backdrops of some scenes.

I rate this drama a 9.2/10!

This was an amazing quality production. Loved all the gorgeous outfits and sets. The directing and cinematography + CGI editing was well executed. I thought they nailed the casting - the entire cast was phenomenal portraying their characters, especially our leads. But Luo Yunxi was particularly spectacular for me. I really loved the idea of an antihero ML here - everything about his story, his selfish obsession with Ye Xiwu, all the way to his enlightenment as Cang Jiumin, his angsty love story with Li Susu - I loved it all! The second half of the drama was everything I wanted to see and then some. 

Bravo to the entire cast and production crew for an excellent job!

I rate this drama an 8.3/10!

I rate this an 8/10 for enjoyment bias!

This was a highly addictive and fun little drama that I couldn't stop binging. I really enjoyed the story and the character of the ML. His portrayal was great. The young actor did a really good job! I also enjoyed the ML's friendship with his 2 bros, his bond with his mother, and his budding relationship with the FL. I just wish this production had more than a $5 budget to work with. I really would love to see what this drama could look like as a bigger production with a better visual effects director. For the most part, I like the cast; they are all rookies but their acting didn't make me cringe. I'd love a sequel with the same main cast... the ending definitely made it seem like a possibility.

I rate this drama an 8.4/10!

And just like that it's over. I'm glad this group got a conclusion to their story. Section 7 will be missed!

I enjoyed season 2 (S2), overall. The tone of the drama is much darker than the first season despite the comedy relief in between. There were things in this season I really enjoyed, there were also things I wish they would have done differently, but this season was meant to wrap up the Young Blood series as a whole and hence why the plot is more focused and felt more tight than in S1 as it's just concluding the plot introduced at the end of S1 - everything from the dialogue, the script, the directing and tone... it just felt like "this is it!".

The cinematography was beautifully done, the editing job is impeccable and seamless, and the costumes, sets and props are gorgeous! It was a wonderful upgrade in production that S1 never got.

I rate this drama an 8.7/10!

I rate this drama an 8.1/10!

I rate this drama an 8.9/10!

This is a wonderful and endearing, brilliant family drama! When this drama was first announced, I was super excited by the synopsis and the female cast. I admit that when it aired, the drama didn't turn out the way I was envisioning it to. However, what it ended up being captured my heart in a better way. The heartwarming mother-daughter and sisters' scenes, the laugh your butt off chaotic fun, the interesting characters with different personalities and how they managed to piece it altogether to such perfection... it truly is a credit to the entire production crew and cast for the brilliant writing, directing, editing, as well as the excellent casting and acting performance of the entire team. <3

This is now my standard for a historical drama filled with slapstick comedy.

I rate this drama an 8.2/10!