2021
It's a new year. New Dramas. Some long. Some not so long. Let's get started!
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1. The Silent Criminal
Chinese Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
OK, actually from 2020, but it's a short series. A bromance with lots of twists and turns. And they were so cute together. One is a constable and the other an Imperial Guard (but is he really telling the truth). The show had lots of fun and adventure, but it turned in to a lot more killing than I ever imagined. The show had a dark side too. And some very unusual hookups along the way. Even a backstory bromance at that...which was a very sad story. But this drama has a lot to offer in 13 episodes! & it left room for another season. We can only hope it will be back!
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2. Mountains and Ocean
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
It was just released on Viki although it came out in 20 19. On a side note, I had a heck of a time watching this on Viki for some unknown reasons it would never show up the episodes I had watched nor on my watched list. Oh well, I made it through somehow.
Here's the story about a girl who speaks her mind but doesn't always know what she's doing. Possibly a poor little rich girl with a good heart, but has a way of putting her would-be boyfriend through a lot of pain. Sure, it's got that "I saw you first feel to it." And she does have an archnemesis to deal with (The nanny's daughter). For the first 20 episodes, we see the female lead grow and she has lots of fun in the career she hopes to go into, as well as some happy days at the University. In spite of having to deal with her archnemesis who feels she is the victim and loves to make everyone unhappy. Then about episode 21 and on it gets kind of dark. It gets a little crazy and lots of sad moments for the lead. And here I was thinking..oh, will she or won't she get to be in the play at the University..but oh no, there is a history of her mother involved with her so-called boyfriend's father. (My rant was how she left a letter for her boyfriend's brother but not her boyfriend. How could she be so cold when she left like that. Definitely communication was severely neglected. Wasn't he important to her?) For her mom and his dad - Did they or didn't they? Well, we may never know for sure. And well, his mother is kind of crazy too. & get her mixed up with the archnemesis and you just might have mayhem. I know that's a little harsh, but this drama did get rather dark before the end. Still, I loved the three main leads. Her circle of friends was pretty sweet too. And at least the drama gave us a little closure on what happened to them.
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3. I Don't Want To Be Friends With You
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Oh, it was so much better than I expected it to be. Of course, I love Sabrina but the whole circle of friends was great.
As the story progressed it made me reflect a lot about first love and relationships. How some people find the right one so well and some of us always seem to meet the wrong one.
I liked the twists and turns of this drama. I liked the ending, too. -
4. The Mystic Nine
Chinese Drama - 2016, 48 episodes
Okay, I can't say I loved it, but it slightly gave me some connections with the other lost tomb series. But I think I would like the book better. I kept hoping I would find more details about some of the supporting characters. I still feel we doing really know the nine families that well. And 9 is a big number.
I loved Lay's performance. But this is quite an epic drama. The author did leave a lot of mystery as to what was really hidden in that tomb and how did it really affect all of them?
I felt there was a lot of meandering when there could have been more tales told that going off to this village and that village. Yes, there is a lot of boring stuff in this drama.
But it had a great beginning with the mystery train. And the ending was quite a climax too. Still, I might have spent far too much time watching this drama.
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5. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
This might be my favorite drama of 2020. I know I could watch it again. Who knows, maybe I mentioned it before. But Seven Tan as the FL lead along with Steve and Long as quite the trio. It's a family-themed drama. The kids with two dads. And so many misunderstandings. Truly though, you get to watch them grow up and become adults. Honestly, one of the best endings to a drama I've seen in a long time.
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6. Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
Such a long drama but well worth it if you love Martial Arts! It's the last of the series, but you don't have to watch the others to watch this. There are no bromances to tell of in this drama. Although, everyone and their grandpa and granny smash things up in this one. In the first episode they must have demolished the whole set. So beware, this one is rather violent. And then midway through JZ shows up all grownup. He is the hero of this drama. Although, you will find him very indecisive and the women who love him ..oh so annoying.. Still, if you can get through this one and no one actually really listening to the other person...you might find it's got a happy ending. Although, I wonder why..sometimes. Truly, the first 10 to 15 episodes of this is the best part of the whole drama.
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7. The Lost Tomb 2
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
I finally made myself see this through, because..I shall confess I didn't like who was playing Poker Face in this one, but one thing I can say after watching it I appreciate Chen Yi so much. He really saved the drama. This one followed the book better than the first drama in this series. I hope they will remake that one, one day. And this had a lot of grit and to be stuck in an underwater tomb is just a little much for me. Especially, to have the story carried over from generations, etc. BUT I did not get the answer I was searching for when it comes to Poker Face. I hated the ending so much. Still, I loved the cast. I loved that there were episodes that were not in the cave. Although, you have to like caves if you watch this drama. There was a lot a liked about this and yet I was a little furious by the end.
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8. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
I love the OST..and the ML is quite the hottie who was daring, romantic and even comical (You know who I am talking about). Bai looks great with short hair! (gotta say I loved many of the hairstyles in this drama! & the costuming was cool too.) The ending was much better than I expected. Still some sad and also brutal moments. Yet, it gave us some surprises too. The villianess was crazy good. I don't know if I could ever trust this actress in a "nice" role.
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9. A Tale of the Wanderers
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Oh, the best C-drama of the year! A great bromance! Such a wonderful cast. Had all the qualities you come to expect in Chinese Martial Arts fantasy. Great build-up. Just when I didn't think it would happen..it does. Some amazing costumes and production. I was very happy with Jun and would love to see these two in another drama together. I loved so many of the supporting characters in this. Gotta say it was warped..the relationship between Scorpian King and his step-dad. Scorpion King might have stolen the show a time or two. Love this actor!
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10. Jin Xin Si Yu
Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes
I really fell in love with this period piece during the Mind Dynasty. Perhaps their storylines might be mundane to some. Yet this was life in the 1300 or so. Especially, the strange and scheming lives of royal families where they were made up of the oppressed concubines and a sea ban was going on. So many rules to go by but still, natural disasters were happening and pirates and bandits were rampant but so were court rulers framing one another too. This is like the second drama I have seen where embroidery was the one thing that kept women going. I enjoyed the costumes in this as well as all the mysteries going on. Lots of evildoers and finding out how people lived back then. I loved Seven Tan's performance as well as her ML. This was sort of like a Chinese Downton Abbey with much more intrigue and ancient setting.
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11. Court Lady
Chinese Drama - 2021, 55 episodes
I survived Court Lady! On one hand, it could have been the Game of Thrones of China. And it began as a comedy..really. I loved the cast. I thought it was written rather tightly for the most part. Although, some of the stories didn't get complete because whoever is in charge of China for that process wanted to cut those stories. Apart of me just wanted a prequel of the "brothers" Chris Fan and the ML having fun. As the drama progressed, it got weird. Funny when too strange and people start dying and you wonder if they are all crazy in the palace. Overall, it was good. And even the ending was OK..because I was so sure it wouldn't end the way it did. But I found so many actors I want to see more of.
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12. Ugly Beauty
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Honestly, I watched in for Sheng Chi. Although, I have liked him better in other dramas..or maybe I am waiting for a better drama. I liked this drama more than I expected. It ends with a more WHO DONE kind of thing..which I wasn't expecting. It was intriguing with the twin storyline and it was good to see the FL take on that kind of role. She reminded me of Lily Collins. There was some confusion about the ML's story..I thought..and at one point..I was thinking..oh he's really not the ML after all. The FL gets to have two MLs so that was kind of different.
Near the end it did take a turn for the worse. I don't know if it was trying to go HORROR or what..maybe for a moment or two. But I did like the ending. Yet, I would have ended it sooner.
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13. Heavenly Palace on the Clouds
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
I went through this one rather quickly. Maybe because it's only 24 episodes. I am used to these grave robbers now. Although, I think they wander around far too much and I always find the main character to be a wealth of information, but he and Fatty can talk way too much while Poker Face doesn't say enough. Granted, I actually wanted to see the ULTIMATE NOTE...but have not made time for it on a site I'm not sure I like or not. If only it could be on VIKI. Still, this might not have spent time on the TRIO (even though Kennedy who actually writes the series did the script for this one). In all it was a good solid production. And the fellow who plays Uncle 3 is always interesting. Actually, I felt this might have been a tale of finishing up Uncle 3 and his friend's bromance. (I know it's a long shot..) So if you do want some answers about the lost tomb series you might find at least one. Saying this..this means an avalanche of new beginning. And maybe one major Villian ending...hmmm. You really have to pay attention in the lost tomb drama. Of course, I think they are crazy to begin with to go off into these caves. Still, I find something appealing about Wxui. On the other hand I wish we could be more of some of the side characters and what are happening to them..who are not in the cave. Kennedy has more to write..I'm certain. Although, the Script Writer from Ultimate Note draws in the "Bromance factor" something I wish Kennedy would learn from.
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14. My Bargain Queen
Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
It had such a great beginning, but when you have 40 episodes ..something has to drag. It was quite a mystery wondering why the FL got left at the alter and then to turn around and help someone else get married at the same place she was supposed too. It was a great cast. And of course, I love Kenny in just about anything I have seen him in..He's a smooth talker and well ..he's just smooth. Although, as the ML he has his quirky side too....and of course, he couldn't get through the day without his assistant. Also the FL has her posse too, as the bargain hunter.
It was interesting to see how these two parties mingle through out the drama. Which even leads to a bromance among the ranks.
The tricky parts were of course, the ML's little sister. She does have a dark side. She might come off cute but she could be manipulating. Then we have in the supporting cast a young Female falling for the older Male. I guess it went OK, but I kind would have liked them with other cast.
So this one take lots of twists and turns. She's poor. He's rich. She's pretty casual, short shorts and all (Honestly, some of the career wear for women in Chinese work place would be a no-no in the states..well, at least here in the midwest) Especially, when the men in top notch suits...but I have seen this before in other Chinese dramas) Thankfully, this drama made sense. I don't think the Chinese code of ethics tore this one apart. It also has a good ending. Things you don't always find in a Chinese drama.
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15. Sweet Sweet
Chinese Drama - 2021, 22 episodes
Honestly, I wanted to love this one so much. I loved the beginning. Although (as much as I love this actor) his character was just a little too quirky and stoic. While the FL was quirky in her own way too. It had such a whimsical modern day feel to it. I loved the locations. It had such an interesting supporting cast. I couldn't wait for each episode. Yet, I didn't understand the ending at all. I dunno what really happened. I think I do..but I might be wrong. So I won't say much about it.
A part of it felt as if they didn't spend enough money on wardrobe, yet I was really OK with that. I liked that the couple when on little adventures to help each other and I liked how they began to be a couple. Yet I know the FL actress can be a little high-strung. Yet, I did find her likeable in this role.
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16. Shall I Have a Cup of Coffee?
Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
OK, this has to be my favorite K-Drama of the year! It's short, but still I loved this little gem of an ordinary story about a coffee shop in an obscure Korean Neighborhood. It was like seeing how the actual locals go about their life. And though the drama was very low, I still found each othe characters endearing. It has such a wonderful cast. Although, low-key I found that I would love to have these people in my circle of friends. Of course, there will be many who don't get this drama because they won't be able to find the drama in it.
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17. Second Chance
Thai Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
OK, it might not be the skinship you want, but this little gem has a lot of emotion. Not gonna say it's perfect. It might as well be Thailand Degrassi. Still, it was cool to see the different relationships. Although, the main one is Paper and Sky. BTW best OST of the year! & it really hits on the beginning of a relationship. Especially, the importance of friendship and it's transition. I really felt this is a good series for those who are maybe hiding their feelings about who they are and who they want to be with. It's a tender kind of story. And I liked the natural part of the story. I liked the scenes between Paper and Sky. I loved Chris and of course, the guy who plays the bully was interesting to watch too. This is a series that really has some wonderful friendships. Although, some might think it preachy near the end. I still enjoyed it.
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18. Broker
Chinese Drama - 2021, 42 episodes
OK..giving it 7.5 might not be worth it at that. It was bad. So bad. I mean taking a shower with your clothes on and then getting in bed..who does that? This was a science story. A noble story. A story of a boy who could only be a man if he did what ever this hoodlum called an uncle told him to do. I really cant' say why he fell in love with the FL. She was cold and such an ice queen. Naturally, to break up the monotony of the brave new world kind of story, was her little sister and her mentor doctor. I wanted to like that story, but..it just went in circles. From what I hear the Chinese Gov. through out a lot of the story..so perhaps that's why it didn't make sense. Who knows. Such a shame cause Lou did the best he could. Yes, Lou..the only one worthy of this drama!
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19. My Girl
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
I loved this one from beginning to end. Yes, they are quite a pair. I love these two together. They are really at their best! I dunno if they are even friends in real life, but they do have a great chemistry together. I LOVE THEM. And I loved the twists and turns of this drama, too. Awesome supporting cast. This drama seriously made me smile of one of the most foolish romcoms around. Yes, I would love to see them make another drama together!
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20. No Park For Young Men
Chinese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
It's short, but it has to be the best of Chinese Drama..it's got such a great international flavor to it. I hope it was made into a movie and gets lots of awards. Such tight writing. Interesting characters. And the music! Another plus! Yes, my favorite of the year! I loved the story and I loved the characters. It has an indie feel to it. I don't know how it ever got made, but I'm glad it did get into the public view cause it is a rare gem.