So much potential. Remember this is a short drama

I gotta say I'm pleasantly surprise by this drama. You can tell that they have budget and time restraints as this is a small production. However, from the very first shot, you can tell that some talented ppl worked on this show. The camera work is interesting and add to the tension of the story. For a short low budget drama, I was expecting boring directing and camera work and all over place cuts. The camera work is very intentional and well thought out. The director really did a beautiful job for what they were giving. The writing is a bit lacking but if it has had the chance to be longer and more flesh out, it could have been be very good. The premise was interesting and intense but the short episodes mean lots of editing issue and character development is cut short. The color grading is quite well done and it highlight the darker tone of the story well while also hide the low production budget flaws.
Acting is surprisingly great. Both leads did a beautiful job. I wish they had a more thought out script to really show off their range and give their character more justice. However, even for the part they have, they really made you believe their characters. All the supports did a great job as well. I will be looking out for these actors. Overall, just know that you are watching a short idol drama still, so don't expect top level production. THere are constraints beyond what the production can do. However, it was quite well done given its genre and it makes me wonder what this whole crew and cast could have accomplished if they had ability to do exactly how they want things to be and get a full 24-30 full hour long episode. This would have really blow a lot of other shows out of the water.... Watch it with an open mind and just appreciate it for what it is.

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It's a marathon not a race. Take your time and enjoy the journey

I'm so glad I was able to binge this show. 70 smt episodes sound daunting, but honestly by the end, I was a little sad it had to end. The show is so empowering for me as a woman. In a time where women have so little control over their lives and everything is dependent on their marriage prospects, family prestige and who they were born to . In a time like this, these shining examples of the smart, strong women who use their brain and strength so take care of their family and become the force behind the stability of their clan thanks to their ability to properly manage their household. Ming Lan is of course the best one, but I'll get to her later. I just love the entire journey of how some women made the decision to use schemes and immoral means to get what they want and suffer the bitter end and others use their own strength and brain to make a difference in their own life. Ming Lan is easily the best FL there ever was. It's not too often do we see a drama that completely focus on the journey of the FL, but that's what this is. It is so so refreshing to see. You might find her too quiet at the start, but you would be dead wrong. Years of suffering taught her to keep her mouth shut when she needs to and use her own way to get her justice. She also has grandma who taught her how to be a smart woman. Her love story is also very real and interesting. She got a great husband in the end, but the journey of their love is so realistic but full of affection and romance as well. Ming Lan is a great character. Always needed to be strong also became her weakness, as she's unsure on how to truly depend on the man when loves. She's so independent and has suffered so much after her first puppy love and life as a concubine's daughter. That's why she has a hard time truly learn to rely on her husband. That was the main hiccup after they got together, and it was so beautiful to see how her husband take down her wall gradually and she learn to be vulnerable with him. His reaction to it is also amazing. They're an amazing pair (on and off screen!). I love most about Minglan is she knows when to keep things to her self but make no mistake, she will not forget the injustice she faced. She's just smart and knows when to wait for her opening. She rarely truly lose her composure but she will make the guilty pay justly for their sin. She seems cold but she is actually a very loving person. Once she love someone, she will make it her business to be there for them and help them get some justice one way or another. It's refreshing to watch such a sensible and no nonsense female lead while still making sure we all see that she is a warm person. The show is a journey into the life of this tenacious, strong and woman and a look into the lives and politics of these prestigious families. Take your time to watch the conversations and after a few episodes, you'll start feeling like you're getting the tea of these families' secrets and rooting for our protagonist as she rises and find her happiness. It's very satisfying when the vile people get their retribution too.

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Cute little hidden gem - A

***L=Very Slight spoiler***
I'm giving it a 8.5 on the scale of short web drama genre overall. Not as a standard drama. Since it is a short drama, I wasn't expecting much. However, right from the start it was definitely better than your standard web drama quality from china. Idk if everyone just can't understand artistic presentation of things but I personally enjoy the editing style of the drama. Lots interesting transitions. Lots of intentional and interesting camera work. Is it the best? not really but definite can see that they made an effort to make it looks interesting rather than the other standard brainless drama. I did watch the full version with all the eps together, so it makes the viewing experience much better as well.
Acting: The leads are great together. Especially the FL. I will follow this actress in teh future. The ML did a good job too. I never realize how hot he can be when he play support all the time, This soft and gentle but intelligent role look goo on him. it is a low budget web drama so of course I don't expect top notch delivery from all the support actors since I'm sure lots of them are new. However, they did good enough that it wasn't too awkward. I'm definitely just here for the main couple though.
Plot: Despite the short episodes and set up, they were able to sown a pretty cute and tight story together. It definitely got all the butterfly moments but with a nice twist. I LOVE the complete role reversal of the typical CEO and poor woman trope flipped to the FL being the CEO. Yet they don't go too far and make her ridiculously unreasonable. She is how a smart woman would be but still have the silly and cuteness. She's just neurotic enough for a good laugh like any typical arrogant CEO trope but never went too far into being mean and cruel. It also show a woman can be strong and successful but still soft and cute if she wants to be. The ML did a good job as well. He's gentle and supportive and very nice to look at. I find it fun that they used some typical CEO and contract marriage trope but apply it logically to how these character would act, so things get resolved in a logical way. Once they get together, these two are strong and the FL doesn't go off the handle at every doubt she has. She think things through logical and have enough trust for the ML that fits the development stage of the relationship. There were 2 points where the ML's character and action create doubts. 1st on at the earlier part when they first get to know each other and 2nd one after they're really together and fully in love. I think it's interesting to see her logically test him in a nicest way possible and give him every chance to explain himself for the 1st one. She tried her best to give him the benefit of the doubt but also didn't brainlessly blinded by him, since they literally just met. That makes perfect sense. 2nd time around, after really knowing who he is and in a relationship together, her reaction is definitely different. She's not as clear minded but she let her heart leads her. She knows who he is, so she trust herself and never let him go. That's a logical way to write a story with dramatic twist but letting the character lead the story and logically apply how the character would act in the progression of their relationships. It's rare to just see a logical story line where characters don't just act in a nonsensical way for the sake of drama. Especially in a C-webdrama. I think that's the biggest scoring point for the show. The overall plot of the mystery around them in nicely done. I will admit I skipped the 2nd couple after a little while bc they are just boring in comparison. Their acting are both subpar. There's some slight plot hole if you will overthink it, but I think they did a good job with making the mystery makes sense. I will say where they miss is in the 2nd lead. His motivation and just overall the way he is presented is not convincing. It makes his whole story line, that's crucial to the story development feel off. I see what the writer is trying to do but I think his whole plot line is a little convoluted and didn't make too much sense. It doesn't take away too much though, since both main leads were good and they are really all you care about. Considering the quality of the short web drama out there in C-dramaland, this one is a gem for sure.

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So cute!! A lighthearted watch that strikes the right balance

Ok so if you’re looking for some high quality drama obviously this is not it. I wanted to watch something with fresh new faces but also something that’s good to de-stress and fun. This is it. I laughed from start to finish. The main female lead is silly but she’s cute and reasonable. She’s not illogical like a lot so FL are in these low budget shows. She’s cute and witty. The actress is very pretty and natural despite some kind cringe lines. She actually makes it pure and natural instead of trying hard to be cute and overact. I like that a lot. There’s room for improvement of course but she’s definitely one I’ll be watching more. The male lead is also really cute. I thought he would be the typical cold and mean ML but he’s just standoff ish. Other than that he’s very kind and loving. He’s a big softie who is also clear about his feelings right away and fall for the FL soon after he knows more about her. I love love love his character. This actor has been in some supporting roles and I thought he was cute but didn’t realize how well he fits as the cold ML archetype. He looks so handsome. Acting wise I think he’s a little stiff but not in a cringey way and actually naturally fit the character well. This is a great role for him and I think he really showed he does have the charisma to be the lead. He has very expressive eyes despite his body posture being a little stiff. I think his eyes emotes well. I’m pleasantly surprised by him. I hope he continue to grow in the future. They make such a cute pair. Both actors definitely compliment each other well. Is it some deep crazy love story? No but it makes you smile because they’re so darn cute. There’s def lots of cliche with the romance but hey I’m not complaining. Give it to meeee. Despite all the cliche fall and catch and accidental kisses, the romance developed very well and they both are very straight forward and open with each other once they know their feelings. No silly mind games. Very pure and honest, which is definitely not common. Despite the circumstances they’re in, they chose to be happy instead of ravel in despair. Not that there’s anything wrong with that but for a fun lighthearted show, it’s what I was looking for.
From the start, there’s so many jokes and hilarious tone from the start. The show doesn’t take itself seriously and I love it. I think for the mood I was in, this show strikes the right balance. There’s enough plot to keep the story going and create stakes and heartfelt connection However, nothing is taken overly seriously that it takes away from the comedy. Lots of show starts funny and then got too serious that they forget the jokes. I think for a pure lighthearted romcom, this strikes the right balance for me. Watch it with ease and ready to just relax and laugh. Don’t harp too much on the details and you’ll really enjoy this one.

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