Short but doesn't seem cheap - Enough to tell a decent revenge story with good leads chemistry

Director Zhi Zhu, male lead Jin Chao and female lead Qi Xia Xia came together again after their first project, “Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang/长公主在上” for a new short drama called “Dong Lan Xue/东栏雪”. I rated ZGZZ pretty low due to its cheap budget production which affected my viewing pleasure. However, “Dong Lan Xue” does not suffer from the same criticism. This 2-min per episode short drama has a pretty decent production value, on par with other longer web dramas such as “The Killer is Also Romantic”. This drama does not scream ‘cheap’.

The pacing of the drama is great and tells a decent story of revenge from start to finish in about an hour. The leads have pretty good chemistry. The acting is not bad, especially for the female lead Qi Xia Xia. She looks gorgeous, just like when she was in ZGZZ. I like her styling, especially her gorgeous costumes.

The action scenes also look surprisingly good. I wasn’t expecting the quality of an excellent wuxia drama, but at least there’s no slow-motion fighting or twirling. The drama doesn’t shy away from bloodshed and torture. I was actually quite surprised they came up with a way to torture FL without letting her run away. They did kind of blur the wounds, as I can understand it could be quite disturbing.

If you don’t have a lot of time and want a quick drama, this is pretty good. Short dramas like these are created for those who commute to work on public transportation and have time to kill or, need a quick drama fix.


Completed: 5/14/2023 - Review #306

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Charismatic Dynamic Duo solving common folks problems.

Completed: 10/9/2022 - 8.25

If I remember correctly, “Ishiko to Haneo: Sonna Koto de Uttaemasu?” is my first Japanese legal drama. I picked an easy and fun one to watch, which focuses on one case per episode. The cases here are all about the regular people. We can probably look around our own circles and find people who experience or know of someone who experiences similar legal issues. In that sense, this becomes an easy watch and most of the legal terms used can be understood by us regular folks without a legal background.

Even though the cases are simple, each has its own flavor and twists. I am not an expert in legal dramas, but I am always pleasantly surprised at the end of each episode when the truth is revealed. Sometimes the truth is heartbreaking, but oftentimes, it’s heartwarming. I am not usually a big fan of episodic dramas but this drama keeps me interested from start to finish.

The main attraction of this drama is our dynamic duo, Haneoka (ML/lawyer) and Ishida (FL/paralegal). I love their bantering and fun interactions. The chemistry is great and there’s good character development for both of them. They both appeared to be smart and capable, but deep down they are dealing with their own self-esteem issues. The way they work and complement each other is the best part of the show.

If you are a romance lover like me, you might be disappointed here. Yes, there is a side plot of romance, but it’s not really done very well. The ‘ship’ that I was rooting for didn’t set sail. I would say the romance is my biggest criticism of this drama. I would rather they take the whole romance plot out of the drama and just focus on the camaraderie and friendship of the three leads.

Acting is great all-around. I’ve seen all three leads in other dramas before and it’s nice to see them again in different roles. My last drama of Armura Kasamu (FL) was “Chugakusei Nikki” where she plays a high school teacher and is attracted to her student. These are two very different roles and she’s excellent in both. My last drama of Makamura Topoya (ML) was “Kono Koi Atatamemasu ka”, where he plays a cool CEO, very different than the flamboyant character in this drama. There are a few somewhat serious scenes in this drama and he did a fantastic job.

The regular supporting cast is small but mighty. It’s so good to watch a drama without any annoying characters. On another note, I don’t remember any songs from this drama. We also have some interesting fashion choices, especially the colorful shirts that ML wears in the beginning of the drama. You can see how his fashion sense changes as his character develops. FL has some nice outfits as well.

It seems like there will be a short spinoff season but the focus is on FL, the soba shop owner and the customers, and not the two MLs here. Speaking of the soba shop owner, what is up with the large quantity of food here? I’ve never seen such HUGE portions of food in a Japanese drama. Did you see the mountains of noodles and rice??

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You either Love or Hate this drama - I love it and I hope you do as well

Completed: 9/19/2022

I have not seen the Korean version so I am just reviewing this on its own. I can see how “Discovery of Romance” can get both positive and negative reviews. The whole premise of the story is about a love triangle: an ex-boyfriend comes back into the female lead’s life and stirs up all types of emotions and troubles. If you do not like love triangles, this is definitely not the drama for you.

I can also see how many might drop this drama within the first few episodes. I was somewhat caught off guard as well, as I wasn’t expecting it to be a comedy. There are many silly and comedic moments in the first 8-10 episodes, and mainly due to Qin Jun Jie’s character, the ex-boyfriend. Our three main leads are not super lovable characters either. They are flawed and the initial comedy doesn’t paint a great picture on them, well, maybe except the perfect boyfriend. However, if you are able to stay a little longer and keep watching, you will see that this is a drama about healing, closures, rediscovering yourself, following your dreams, personal growth and how complicated feelings could be in real life. Feelings are not always black and white, and being wishy washy about feelings and decisions is actually the most realistic part of a relationship, especially a love triangle.

I stuck around because I am a fan of Janice Wu and Qin Jun Jie. I haven’t seen Janice Wu in a drama for quite some time and still remember how much I liked her in “Le Coup de Foudre” and also as the sassy actress BFF in “You are my Glory”. I became a fan of Qin Jun Jie after watching him in “Listening Snow Tower” (love him but not the drama) and also in “Noble Aspirations”. I’ve never seen him in a modern drama so I am looking forward to this. I am so glad I stuck around because they are both awesome. The chemistry between the two is amazing. The argument and bickering are fun, but the emotional scenes are just something else. Even when they’re just calmly talking about business and designs, I can feel their chemistry slowly sizzling in the background. They are the main reason why I watched, did not drop and gave “Discovery of Romance'' a good rating.

I really like how we learn of ML and FL history by seeing how differently they remember events of the past. ML only has the happy memories and thus wants to get back with FL. On the other hand, FL only has negative memories and wants nothing to do with ML. The storytelling is interesting to me. With the flashbacks, we see a younger and more innocent version of the couple. It’s like both Janice Wu and Qin Jun Jie are playing multiple roles.

There are many frustrating decisions made by the three leads. How I want to scream and shake some sense into them. When you watch this, either you hate them or you try to understand where they’re coming from. This continues to be that fine line of liking and disliking a drama. The drama also switches from a rom-com happy and silly tone, to a more melodramatic tone in the last ⅓ of the drama. I personally enjoy the more emotional scenes and the process of the former couple coming to realize that their relationship really has ended, and ML finally found closure. We also follow the perfect boyfriend’s journey of accepting his past and loving himself.
This might not be a perfect drama but I really like it a lot.

Other Random Observations:
1. FL has such a cool relationship with her mother. We need more mother characters like her in C-dramaland.
2. I appreciate natural kisses - no fan service, but happens when it’s appropriate in a normal, loving, mature relationship.
3. A surprise cameo in the last episode. I’ve never seen this actor in a modern look as well.
4. Finally brought back some humor in the last episode.

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The road to the Top of the mountain is a very lonely journey

First of all, “Stand by Me” is not a typical, cute and fluffy high school romance drama. It gives off a vibe similar to that of “The Bond”. The drama talks of life as a high schooler back in the 90s and how they endure hardships and challenges. All the main characters come from broken families and most have lower socio-economic status. There are definitely some fun and lighter moments, but for the most part, this is not a very happy drama. But it’s a great drama nonetheless, if you know what you are getting yourself into.

There are many references to classic Chinese wuxia novels, Hong Kong dramas, movies, music and stars. If you are unfamiliar, you don’t miss much of the important plot. But if you are familiar (which I am), it feels very nostalgic in a good way. It’s similar to watching the very popular K-drama Reply 1988.

“Stand By Me” focuses on the journey of female lead Luo Qi Qi. We follow her from when she was an adorable and super smart young girl, living with her grandfather in the village. As she moved to the city to live with her parents, she was forced to grow up and it’s heartbreaking to see the outgoing and innocent young girl disappear. The drama spends the rest of the time telling the story of Qi Qi’s learning and discovering herself, identifying her goals and her dedication to achieving her dreams. Along the way, she met friends who supported her and encouraged her. But the road to the top of the mountain is a very lonely journey. Is she able to achieve her dreams with her friends?

A few quick bullet points on what I like:
1. Zhang Xi Wei who played the young Luo Qi Qi is fantastic.
2. I love the scenes of young Qi Qi and her grandfather. I wish I could see more flashbacks of them together.
3. Top notch acting by Zhao Jin Mai. She carries the show on her shoulder and runs with it.
4. The rest of the cast is just as good. I initially thought Wu Jia Kai (who played Zhang Jun) might be the weaker of the cast. But he grew on me and I think his acting improved throughout the drama.
5. I don’t question Bai Yu Fan’s acting, but I do question him playing a high schooler. He looks a little too old to be an 18 year old.
6. Love that the actors use their own voice. Big plus with live recording. This really adds to my viewing pleasure as there are many emotional scenes.
7. It’s nice to see a drama where the main characters are not geniuses or Mary Sues. They are all flawed and interesting.
8. It’s nice to see teachers who are decent and act like teachers.
9. It’s also nice to see parents who are real and not overly-bearing (just a little) or overly protective. They are not perfect, but the female lead’s mother actually communicates and wants to have honest conversations, after fiery emotions died down.
10. This drama is so real.

A few quick bullet points on what I have mixed feelings of:
1. This drama is so real. At times it was very difficult to watch, especially to binge. I do not recommend binge-watching this straight.
2. 30 episodes focusing primarily in high school is a little much. I lost focus and felt the pace slow down in the middle.
3. If Luo Qi Qi and Zhang Jun actually communicate honestly and openly, they would not have that many arguments. They make up and break up quite a bit (as friends).
4. I do hate Qi Qi a little bit sometimes for her stubborn and prideful personality. It’s OK to back down once in a while and be considerate of others’ feelings. She’s an interesting character. I love her and I hate her.
5. The drama can seem a little preachy.
6. Romance is light, even for a high school drama. So, don't go in looking for romance.


Overall, this is a great drama. I can see why it has a high Douban rating (currently at 8.3,) as the local Chinese audience can definitely relate to what the characters are going through. But I am not sure the international audience will feel the same way, esp. if they are looking for typical teen high school C-dramas. I recommend this drama to all for its excellent acting and realistic portrayal of life in the 90s as a Chinese high schooler. I definitely do not recommend binge-watching this in 3 days. I tried and was watching this along with “My Dearest” (K-drama), and the cruelty of reality and life's challenges really got to me and I was very stressed out.



Completed: 11/20/2023 - Review #378

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Love on a Suspension Bridge

What is the suspension bridge effect? According to Urban Dictionary, “the suspension bridge effect happens when a person crosses a suspension bridge and he sees someone of the opposite sex. His fear of falling down causes his heart to pound. He then mistakes that for the heart-pounding feeling felt when falling in love with the opposite sex.”

Is the love Ochiai Mikoto (FL) feels for Haiba Jin/Haijin (ML) a result of the suspension bridge effect? Will these feelings go away once she’s not standing on the edge of the building? Well, you will have to watch the drama to find out.

“Tsuiraku JK to Haijin Kyoshi” aka “Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher” is a dark comedy addressing the serious issues of suicide and loneliness. The drama does not take the issues lightly, but offers an alternate, witty and sarcastic way in handling them. You will fall in love with the leads and their personalities. Both of them are caring, considerate, ‘unique’ and ‘wacky’. But the best part of the drama is their interactions. You never know what’s going to come out of Haijin’s mouth, and what comebacks Mikoto will have. They are just so fun together.

The drama is really short - 9 episodes and about 20 minutes each. It doesn’t tell the full story but only gives us the initial encounter and relationship building. I wanted more of them and wished the episodes were longer. I want to know more about how Haijin fell in love with Mikoto. That one flashback is not enough for me.

If you are unsure of the taboo relationship of a teacher and a student, I can say there’s nothing overtly out-of-the-line physically. But there’s heavy flirting and you know emotionally they are ‘together’. There were only two instances where they performed an act to ‘save someone’s life’. Of course, that’s their way of justifying the act. But they did it in such a comical way that it didn’t feel dirty at all.

This drama reminded me of the C-drama “Definitely Not Today”. Both tried to tackle the issue of suicide with dark comedy but approaches this topic very differently. This drama has a lot more comedy and flirting.

If the themes of suicide and teacher/student relationships don’t bother you, I recommend this unique drama to you.


Completed: 9/18/2023 - Review #355

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Advance Bravely because it's a Train Wreck with Hot Abs!

The warning is correct: Advance Bravely! After watching a couple episodes, I thought to myself, What the heck am I watching? Why am I watching this? I wonder if it’s because I was watching this drama in 2023 instead of 2017, that I just couldn’t enjoy it. Watching “Advance Bravely” is like watching a train wreck that I couldn’t look away. It’s so bad that it’s hilarious and addictive?

The only good thing about this drama is Jason Xu and his abs (but not his acting). He’s hot and I enjoy staring at him, just like most characters in the show. That’s the only positive thing I can think of. Oh, also, the action scenes are decent. If you like Gong Jun, you might like him and his skinny abs as well. If you are a fan of abs, there are many for your enjoyment.

However, the plot is weird. Why would you ask your brother to help you chase a guy that your brother doesn’t even know? Why would you kidnap and force someone to go through a medical procedure to ‘correct’ an embarrassing medical condition? Why is this sister so annoying and can’t take NO for an answer?

Additionally, we have a hot but stalkerish male lead, plus a childish and somewhat annoying male lead. I don’t really like any of the leads, so maybe that’s why I don’t feel the chemistry even with the extended long looks and slow motion scenes. The second and third couples also have a weird romance/relationship.

The ending is ridiculous and it definitely has to do with censorship and the lack of funding. But even if I ignore how censorship could ruin this drama, there are just too many other things that are wrong and inappropriate. This is a very weird drama that I don’t know how to appreciate.


Completed: 2/23/2023

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Beautiful cinematography and excellent acting - but slow at times with many timeline switches

Completed - 5/22/2022 - 8.25 rating

I have not read the book, so I am going into this not really knowing what the story is about. "Pachinko" tells the stories of the hardships endured by commoners from the 1920s to the 1940s in Korea and Japan. We saw our characters struggled to make a living or to have a decent meal during times of turmoil and war. A big part of the drama also depicts lives as second-class citizens when you left your home country and lived abroad - whether you moved to or returned from Korea, Japan or the United States.

Each episode is like a movie. You can see Apple pours a decent amount of money into this production. The cinematography, sets, costumes, props, houses/venues, scenes of a natural disaster - all look realistic and are shot beautifully. The background music complements the scenes, but I actually don't recall any song played in this drama. I might have just forget at it took me a long time to finish this drama.

For an 8-episode season, "Pachinko" has a large and amazing cast. This is the first time I've seen Kim Min Ha (young Kim Sun Ja). I would not say she's beautiful, but she fits the role of a tough and smart Sun Ja really well. There are many close-ups of her in this drama, and you can see all her micro expressions. Veteran actress, Young Yuh Jung plays the grandma version of Sun Ja, and of course did an amazing job as well. Coming into this, I only know Lee Min Ho, and he didn't disappoint. He's dashing and seductive in his white suit. A whole ep. 7 was dedicated to his character and to showcase his acting chops. I don't think I've ever seen him so dirty and disheveled in any other drama. I am also introduced to Jin Ha, who played Solomon. What an interesting character. Does he really speak fluent Korean, Japanese and English?? The most beloved character is probably Pastor Baek Yi Sah, played by Steven Noh. He's such a sweetheart, so gentle and caring.

The drama spans many decades and also switches back and forth between different timelines. It could be disorienting at times, as the timeline switches happen quite frequently. The pacing in the first couple episodes are a little slower. The drama takes time in introducing us to different characters from all timelines.

I heard there will be a few more seasons of "Pachinko" and will focus on other characters in the novel. However, I don't feel closure of the stories told in season 1. I would not say the drama ends on a cliffhanger but maybe a somewhat open ending? Maybe the stories of these characters will be continued in season 2?

p.s. Took me about a month to finish watching this drama, not because the drama is boring... just life circumstances. Therefore, I feel that this review might not be as well-written or as coherent.

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Great Acting, Pacing with Unexpected Twists

Completed - 5/19/2022 - 8.75

When it's announced that Chen Kun and Bai Yu were going to be in a drama together, one could assume you don't have to worry about the quality of acting in "The Wind Blows From Longxi". This is a very heavy, political drama involving spies and schemes. If you had a bad experience with boring and dragged out political dramas in the past, and are still interested in this genre, DO NOT miss out on this drama.

Plot - I would not classify myself as a huge fan of this genre, as I often get bored in the middle of such politics heavy drama, e.g. "The Longest Day in Chang'an". However, with only 24 episodes, we have a very tight plot with amazing twists and turns. The pacing is the best I've seen in a historical political drama. There are schemes over schemes, lies after lies, spies everywhere trying to outsmart each other. The whole drama is very dark and serious, as it should be during war times. However, I did think to myself wishing there were a few more lighter moments (not comedy). I wanted to see more flashbacks of Chen Gong, Xun Xu and Di Yue, before they became spies. Those were the times when we saw smiles on their faces. On the other hand, yes, there are legitimate criticisms about the introduction of so many characters in the first few episodes. And yes, the summary at the end of each episode does help viewers in understanding what exactly happened. However, my biggest criticism of the drama is that, if the writing of the drama is better, do we really need to have the episode-end summary in the first place? Can't the story be written in a way that's less confusing for the audience, who has no prior knowledge of those historic times, and not be confused by the barrage of characters?

Acting - As I mentioned earlier, you really don't need to question the quality of acting in this drama. Not just because of Chen Kun and Bai Yu, but also all of the supporting cast. No matter how small or big the part is, everyone was excellent. And yes, Angelbaby wasn't bad either, though her part is small. In the last episode when Cheng Gong (Chen Kun) and Xun Xu (Bai Yu) had the confrontation heart-to-heart talk, I couldn't help but cry with Xun Xu.

Friendships/Relationships - The friendship between Cheng Gong and Xun Xu is on a different level. They understand and trust each other. There are many times in this drama where each could have questioned the motive and sincerity of actions. They could not be honest due to the nature of the business, but deep down they trust each other and use their brains to arrive at the correct conclusion. I wish we have more scenes with the two of them together. On the other hand, even though General Li and Prime Minister Zhuge seem like enemies, they are both loyal servants to the emperor. They just have different ideologies, motivations and strategies on what's best for the kingdom.

Production Quality - This is not a palace drama so we don't have beautiful set designs and costumes. These are turbulent times and everything felt so realistic. The lighting, sets, props, houses - everything looks so real. Others commented that this drama is very dark (not enough lighting), but I personally enjoy the use of natural light from candles and lanterns. They could probably use an extra candle or two here and there. This drama may not have the beautiful cinematography as in "Luoyang" or "The Longest Day in Chang'an", but it just feels right. I also greatly enjoy the gritty fight scene towards the end between Chen Gong and Huang Yu. That was very physical but with a lot of emotions. I would have loved to see more.

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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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A good but not great drama that is more political than wuxia.

Completed - 5/18/2022

"Who Rules The World" was my most anticipated drama in 2022 because I am a fan of Yang Yang, Zhou LuSi and wuxia dramas. Though I wouldn't say the drama exceeded my high expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed it for the most part. At first glance, this seems to be a wuxia drama (or it's advertised as such), but it's actually more political.

What I Enjoy:

1. Smart Characters - It's rare to find a drama where almost all the main characters are smart and strong (emotionally and physically) from beginning to the end. Our Black (Hei Feng Xi) and White (Bai Feng Xi) lead characters are established and well-known martial artists in the pugilistic world. We don't have to wait for them to grow stronger throughout the drama. They are already two of the most powerful people. This creates an interesting dynamic between the two that is fun to watch as they compete and fall in love. We also have a strong supporting cast in Feng Qi Wu (badass female general), Huang Chao (intelligent and cunning crown prince), and Yu Wu Yuan (the two-faced Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the drama). No one needs to be saved all the time, and no one becomes dumb all of a sudden. I wish there are more dramas out there with such strong and intelligent characters.

2. Mature Main Romance - It's fun to see our leads bicker all the time, yet slowly fall in love. I quite enjoy watching our ML being the smartest cookie in the show, yet so clueless when it comes to courting our FL. A shy and embarrassed Yang Yang is a treat. This is a romance without misunderstandings, break-ups, or evil unrequited love rivals. Our leads love, support, and trust each other. A comfortable romance to watch and one to die for.

3. Costumes/Styling - I am usually not a big fan of the bun hairstyle for the male characters in historical dramas. But in this drama, I would say almost all of the guys look pretty dashing in their costumes. I think Yang Yang looks the best when he's ill with his hair down. He even looks great with white hair! Zhao LuSi is made for historical dramas. She is so beautiful here and her particular hairstyle as Bai Feng Xi suits her so well. All the ladies have beautiful dresses and hair accessories. Nothing is too overdone, but just natural and complementary. I also like how they color coordinated ML and FL's costumes in many scenes when they are together.

4. Acting - Though many criticize Yang Yang's acting and his role selection, I do feel that his role here provided him the ability to be cool, sweet, romantic, serious and heartbroken. He might not be as amazing as he was in "Glory of Special Forces", but he's not bad either. He's great in Ep 28 - heartbreaking palace scene with the emperor. Zhou LuSi can also be typecasted into the cute female lead. Similar to Yang Yang, her role here also provided her an opportunity to show the different sides of Bai Feng Xi - from the carefree girl, to the elegant queen, and finally as a commanding ruler and soldier. The rest of the supporting cast is pretty good as well.

What I have mixed feelings about:

1. Leads Chemistry - For some reason, I don't feel that Yang Yang and Zhao LuSi have amazing chemistry in this drama. They seem like good friends or siblings. Maybe because their romance is so calming and understanding? There's no sizzle, no longing, no real heartbreak or super fluffy moments? Perhaps that's why I am not feeling it quite as much, even though they have some romantic, fun bickering and cute moments.

2. Fight Scenes - I was quite happy with the first few episodes of the drama. It was so fun to see FL fighting with that long ribbon. The fan that ML uses might not be as entertaining but the fight scenes are pretty good with no slow motion movement or posing. But the number of fight scenes decreases throughout the drama when the plot becomes more political. The few fight scenes that we got are short and not well-done at all. The last two big fight scenes in ep 39 and 40 - war battles and the final one in the palace - are just actors flying here and there with very little actual fighting.

3. Sets/Props/Lighting - This is a very subjective category and it probably only bothers me. I am expecting a pretty decent, if not big, budget production where money could be spent on props and sets. For some reason, it was irritating me throughout the show to see 'fake' sets and props. The color of the furniture/decorations and inside the palace don't seem right, compared to other historical dramas or similar caliber, such as "Novaland: Pearl Eclipse". I am not expecting the quality of "The Rebel Princess" but still, something is off and it bothers me. Another area that bugs me is the lighting of the drama. I am not expecting awesome lighting or cinematography like in "Luoyang" or "The Longest Day in Chang'an", but the drama could use more candles and lanterns for NIGHT scenes, instead of bright light from the window or artificial lighting. On the positive side, there are many beautiful aerial shots over different kingdoms.

4. Pacing - I would have placed this in the "What I Like" category if not for the last few episodes. For most of the drama, the pacing is really good and the story moves along smoothly. I was not bored and the drama kept my attention for the most part. However, in the last 5 episodes or so, there are many war battle scenes. I get confused about the city names and the repeated back-and-forth advancing and retreating, making these episodes feel rushed. I think the two time skips also affected the pacing as well.

Other Random Observations:
1. No one commented that the eldest prince (ML's older brother) can walk again?
2. Songs are not overplayed in this drama.
3. Does anyone find Zhao Lu Si's weirdly-shaped eyebrows distracting? No? Maybe it's just me. LOL
4. Where did teenage Han Pu find ingredients to make drugs in the war zone?
5. It's cool to see the soldiers waving the flags in a battle to communicate war strategies.
6. CGI is not good.

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Great 1st half, disappointing 2nd half and confusing/complicated ending episodes

Completed - 1/23/2022
First Half - 8.5
Second Half - 7.0
Overall - Very Generous 8.0

When I first read the synopsis of this drama, I was expecting a mature romance centered around a contract marriage (my favorite trope). But I was pleasantly surprised that there's so much more to this drama than just about our main leads' romance. It's a drama about friendships (bromance & sismance), business, recovering from tragic pasts and revenge. This is no t like the usual rom-com contract marriage. Imagine my delight! But the ratings of this drama tanked after the last episode is aired. I think many watchers are just as disappointed as me.

It took me a couple episodes to get used to the personality of our leads. Our FL lead is mean and cold to our ML, and the ML is a little too over-the-top childish and carefree. But once I am used to it, I believe they complement each other and I am enjoying this very slow-burn romance. There's plenty of comedic moments, thanks to our ML, and also bickering between the couple. I would not call Zhu Ya Wen (ML) handsome at all, but he fits this role so well. Yang Zi Shan (FL) is really pretty in this drama and she got a great wardrobe of clothes for her business and evening attire. They are both mature adults and handle crisis and misunderstanding (and secrets) in a sensible way. I would have loved to see more cute scenes as a couple but I am satisfied. Our secondary romance develops a little more organically than our main romance. Li Yuan (2FL) really looks like someone who can box and run a gym. It's hard to find an actress who acts the part as someone who is so strong physically (thought she's quite skinny). Mike He (2ML) looks handsome and dashing. He's probably the best-looking guy in the whole drama. Both couples have great chemistry.

I quite enjoy the plot in the first half. We started with the contract marriage, and then we got to see how our ML supports and solves problems for FL behind-the-scene. I also enjoy the business talk and crisis (though I am still not quite sure that FL's company really does). When the big bad wolf pulls strings to get the three former soldiers back together, and the revenge plot officially starts, that was fun and entertaining. With the three friends back together, we also learn of ML's tragic past and how it continues to affect him to this date. The bromance is strong and they are fun together.

However, I feel that the story went downhill once they went to Thailand. It feels like a completely different drama. The trip is an overly complicated to find out who the big bad wolf is - the battle to takeover the orphanage, sex trafficking, drugs dealing, etc. Whatever happened to the lost document of the orphanage? That was such a big deal to steal it, and then what? It seems like everything happened in Thailand is for them to suspect Li Mo as being alive when he killed the big bad wolf.

Speaking of Li Mo, I am still not sure if he was trying to seek revenge or not. Was all that happened his way of just using ML's hand to kill the one who's controlling him? Or was he really mad at ML for leaving him behind, and actually wanted him and his other comrades to suffer? In the end, was it revenge to involve him in the arms dealing, or just really needs the help? Was he really still the same person at heart, who would sacrifice himself to save his friends? I am not quite sure.

Other Observations:
1. It is quite mean for FL and her friends to use fake kidnapping to force ML to confess his feelings. He has PTSD!
2. Too many secrets hidden from FL by ML and their friends for the sake of protecting her.
3. In the second half, I guess no one has to go to work anymore.
4. Really enjoy the bromance and sismance in this drama.
5. English dubbing is poor and inconsistent and it has nothing to do with the nationality of the characters.
6. It's implied that FL knows that she's the girl in ML's picture, but I can't find a logical way for her to find out.
7. In the end, FL still doesn't know she had a childhood connection with ML. Poor ML.
8. I like the songs in this drama.

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Timing is Everything.

Season 2 does not give me the same feels and gone are the innocence and sweetness. All the characters seem to have grown up and are forced to face certain challenges in life. No longer can they hide their feelings but they all become more courageous and more honest with themselves.

The talk of the town is probably Kou’s indecisiveness and going back-and-forth between Yoshioda and Narumi. One thing Kou said resonated with me. He wants to move on but he’s also afraid that he will forget. Therefore, being with Narumi in a way is a security blanket. If you have lost someone close to you, you can probably understand where Kou is coming from. But of course, logically we all know he needs to cut ties with Narumi and be honest with his feelings. I also do not agree with Narumi’s emotional blackmail, but I can sympathize with her actions.

I liked Yoshioda in season 1 and I continue to like her in this season. She continues to grow and I’m glad she tries to at least not be a pushover and really wants things with Toma to work out. Toma is a lovely guy but it’s just not the same when your first love is someone who’s broken, and you want to heal with him and be with him throughout the process.

These characters are young and they are not perfect. Going back on decisions is not the end of the world. Sometimes, we just need to be more forgiving of ourselves and know that we can’t always make the right choices at first try.

Yuri has a very small part in season 2. The love triangle between Murao/Kominato/Tanaka has a little more screen time. I would have liked to see more foreshadowing/scenes in Murao’s final choice of the guy she ends up with. There doesn’t seem to have enough transition from one to another.

Season 2 did not hit me the same way as Season 1. But I did have an enjoyable time watching this. I’m glad the acting is pretty good all-around and even though Narumi is a third wheel, she wasn’t that bad.


Completed: 2/25/2024 - Review #410

Season 1 review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/voicelesslove/reviews/342617

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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

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A Martial Arts Lover's Dream Drama

Completed: 10/8/2022 - 8.25

I have not read the novel and don’t recall the HK adaptations that I watched when I was young. So this review is strictly based on how I feel when watching “Side Story of Snow Volant” as if it’s my very first time. This drama is a martial arts/wuxia lovers’ dream.

What I Like:

Martial Arts/Fight Choreography - It’s so rare to find a wuxia drama these days that reminds you of those back in the 80s and 90s. This drama is full of creative fight choreography and extended fast-paced fighting scenes (with minimal slow motion). We are treated to fight scenes with an array of weapons - swords, darts, whips, poison powder, spears, staff, shield, etc. But I am personally most excited to see many hand-to-hand combat and fist fights. Those are the best and the most exciting, and difficult for an actor to do well. Both Qin Jun Jie and Lin Yu Shen are believable martial arts experts, wielding their swords and kicking everyone’s butts. Although Liang Jie’s fight scenes are not as impactful strength-wise, she does not look weak and is quite a badass when swinging her whip. Moreover, this is one of the few dramas where you see exciting fight scenes frequently and throughout the whole drama from start to finish.

Acting - I am a fan of Qin Jun Jie and he doesn't disappoint. He plays the role of Hu Fei really well (though he does look a little old for an 18-year old). I enjoy seeing him play the inexperienced teenager in the initial episodes and follow his growth to be a more mature and smarter hero. Lin Yu Shen’s Miao Ren Feng might have stolen some thunder from Qin Jun Jie. Miao Ren Feng is a cool but pitiful character. It does remind me of Lin Yu Shen’s role in “Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre”, which he is also a fan favorite. I personally like the character in HSADSS more than in SSOFV. However, I think it requires more out of Lin Yu Shen to act with his eyes and facial expressions. He really doesn’t have too many lines in this drama. Our two female leads met my expectations. I have always been lukewarm towards Liang Jie and Xing Fei in their previous dramas, and I like them fine here.

Original voice - I am so happy that all of the actors use their own voices and there seems to be live recording on set as well. This is such a rare experience for wuxia dramas, as most of them are dubbed, and even more rare when none of them is dubbed!

Badass female leads - We have two smart, strong, and independent women in this drama. Not only are they not damsels in distress, they are actually the ones that bail Hu Fei out most of the time. There’s no jealousy between them and it’s refreshing to see a healthy love triangle where the male lead can’t go wrong with either one of them.


What I have Mixed Feelings about:

Pacing/Side Plots - I feel that the drama focuses too much on some of the side plots. The pacing is uneven for me, and I often lose my focus when there is no fight scene. There aren't any plot twists to keep me on the edge of my seat.
* Too much time is spent on the relationship between Tian Gui Nong and Nan Lan. They have no chemistry and their arc keeps on going in circles.
* Instead, I wanted more romance or scenes with Ma Chun Hua and Fu Kang An. Even with limited screen time, I can feel their chemistry so much more than the romance between Tian Gui Non and Nan Lan.
* Feng Tian Nan + Hu Fei cat-and-mouse chase lasts too long. I keep on waiting for Feng Tian Nan to die.
* I want more scenes between Hu Fei and Miao Ren Feng. They are the most popular characters but Miao Ren Feng disappears in the second half of the drama.
* I also wanted more scenes between Hu Fei and Yuan Zi Yi. I am on Team Zi Yi!

Romance - I read about the ending and knew coming in who Hu Fei will or will not end up with. I am on Team Zi Yi because I think she’s a better match with Hu Fei. They are both great martial artists and have a strong sense of justice. The first few episodes of them causing havoc are so much fun to watch. However, I would not say they have sizzling chemistry even though I am a fan of longing looks. I believe she is Hu Fei’s one true love till the end. On the other hand, Cheng Ling Su has always felt more like a close friend or little sister. I feel for her and how much she’s done for Hu Fei, but something is also missing. I am sure Hu Fei loves her too, but not the same type of love that he has for Zi Yi. This love triangle is really not a focus of this drama and it shows.

Political talk - There’s too much political talk in this drama. I was hoping the focus is more on the pugilistic world and the different sects. Too much time is spent on the court officials and how corrupted they are.


Because I love the fight scenes so much, and also how frequent they are, I am giving this drama a generous rounded up 8.5. Surprisingly, this is only an OK watch for me and it did not prompt me to hit the “next episode” button enthusiastically. I thought I would like this a lot more.

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It takes a Village to have a Safe and Nice Flight!

Completed: 9/12/2022

“Nice Flight” is a simple but educational drama about those that work at the airport - pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin attendants, ground crew, mechanics and more. This is a short and easy watch, and for the most part will put a smile on your face.

I was surprised by the amount of technical talks in the first two episodes. While introducing our male and female lead and their occupations, the drama does go into quite a lot of detail in the communication between a pilot and an air traffic controller. I don’t mind and quite like the educational aspect of this drama, but it just took me by surprise. If you do not enjoy all the technical/professional jargon, you might not like this drama as much.

The romance is simple and sweet. We have two individuals who work closely together by profession, yet have very different personalities. They are quite adorable and awkward together (my kind of cuteness). I might have wished for a more mature romance since the leads are not teenagers but professionals. I also wanted more cuteness when they’re a couple. Because the drama is so short, once they get together, we only get a few scenes of fluffiness and then we get into challenges of being in a relationship.

I enjoy seeing the character development of our female lead and her background story. Her tight bond with her grandfather is touching. We might have not seen much change of personality in our male lead, we do follow his career path and I learn a great deal about the process of being a pilot. Who knew you needed to go through full training again if you wanted to pilot a different aircraft? I didn’t but I do now!

Though the focus is on the leads, I appreciate the fact that this drama also sheds light on other important professions. “Nice Flight” stresses the importance of team work and passing the baton from one professional crew to another, in order to have a safe and successful flight. If the drama is longer, then we can learn even more about each profession.

Other Random Observations;
1. I wish to visit a gyoza restaurant like that. So many interesting and crazy gyozas!
2. Pilots must make a lot more money than air traffic controllers. Just check out the apartments that the leads are living in. Night and Day!
3. JAL must be a big sponsor. You don’t need any other product placements.

Special thanks to Windflows for subbing.

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